Police have told shop workers to call the parents of young shoplifters instead of dialling 999 amid concerns that they are being swamped by emergency calls, it has been claimed.

A city centre security guard, based in Truro, Cornwall, said police advised him that those caught attempting to steal could not be detained for longer than 30 minutes, and that any theft of under £200 would probably not be dealt with.

He added that children and teenagers under the age of 18 should be released with parental consent once the stock was returned, rather than reporting the theft to police.

A Devon and Cornwall Police inspector admitted resources were “finite” and that shoplifting would be assessed as a “lower priority” during periods of high demand. A source also told The Daily Telegraph that there was an attitude within the police that juveniles should not be arrested for shoplifting.

The security guard’s claims are believed to have been made at a “Truro Safe” meeting, where licensed traders, taxi operators, the police, Truro City Council, Cornwall Council and others meet to discuss safety relating to local businesses and night-time economy.