Helloooo Nanny State. Looking hot here, had some work done? 
Not paying the controversial levy is no different from shoplifting, Rory Stewart claimed.
The environment minister said: "Shoppers are expected to be responsible at self-checkout and not steal goods.
"Theoretically you could probably steal an apple at the self-checkout if you wanted to. There’s no difference between an apple and a plastic bag."
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But Mr Stewart admitted it may "take time" for English shoppers to adjust to the new rules, which into force next week.
His warning comes just days before the Conservatives are poised to announce an increase in fines for littering from £80 to £100.
The plastic bag levy has already been adopted by retailers in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said officers will take a "proportionate and common sense approach" if cases of bag theft are reported.
Plastic bagsGETTY
Rory StewartGETTY
Rory Stewart
Ministers hope to see the use of single-use carrier bags slashed by 80 per cent in supermarkets and 50 per cent on the high street.
This could save £60 million in litter clean-up costs and generate £730 million for good causes.
But critics have said a series of exemptions for certain purchases could be confusing for consumers.
Shoppers are entitled to a free plastic bag for unwrapped food or raw meat and fish for safety reasons.
They can also get a free bag for prescription medicines, uncovered blades, seeds, bulbs, flowers and live fish.
But they will have to pay if they put another item not exempt from the charge in the same bag.
Mr Stewart said: "The reason we don't allow mixing in a bag is you could then just buy one apple, pop it in your bag with your other groceries and get a free bag."
"If you have got your apples and you put them in a bag on your own, that would be something you could get for free.
"If you have a wrapped packaged item in the bag with it, no."http://report24uk.info/article/323952/shoppers-will-be-treated-like-criminals-if-they-dont-pay-5p-bag-charge-minister-warns
