Good Morning Britain viewers have expressed their exasperation over the ITV show’s latest choice of guest.
During a debate on Thursday, reformed “prolific shop-lifter" Keeley Knowles joined the panel to discuss the recent rise in petty crime.
Ms Knowles has been interviewed on the programme several times before, with viewers beginning to question the level of airtime granted to her.
The discussion began over the fact that Sussex Police is now fitting thieves with GPS ankle tags to tackle the issue of shoplifting, which has risen 10 per cent in the county.
ITV fans questioned why Keeley Knowles regularly joins Good Morning Britain
|ITV
When asked by host Kate Garraway if the new rule would have deterred her during her shoplifting days, which earned her the title of “Birmingham's most prolific shoplifter,” the reformed criminal explained: “Addiction in general is why most people shoplift.”
In a candid admission, she continued: “That was me, heroin addiction.
“I'm not going to say that this is a good idea in just this bit, because obviously if I've got this on and I'm excluded from this area, I'll go somewhere else.
“And as they build up on your file, you can't go here, then we'll add this place and this place.”
X users were divided over Keeley's GMB appearance
|X
The ITV regular continued: “What is a worry then is, 'Okay, so they can't go to those shops, does that mean you then burgle someone's house?'
“Or you commit a robbery? Worse, does it mean that the women end up selling themselves? Become the next rape and murder statistics?”
Giving some credit to the police force’s new plan, she added: “But if you've got everything with this, so wrap-around support with rehabilitation, then it can work.
“Because the people doing it already want to try and do something else.”
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In response to the conversation though, several viewers expressed confusion over the frequent guest.
“If a member of the public intervened they'd be treated worse than the criminal I'm afraid. Sometimes people are just scumbags so no wrap around sorts that. #GMB,” one X user wrote.
A second penned: “Chuckling at being called the most prolific shoplifter #gmb.”
"Why are you bringing this woman on again?” a third questioned.
Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley chatted to former shop-lifter Keeley
|ITV
“Celebrity SAS next," another cynically joked, before a further viewer echoed: "Why are we giving Keeley air time? #GMB #GoodMorningBritain."
However, others defended Ms Knowles and her honest discussions about her past.
Keeley Knowles is a former prolific shop-lifter
|ITV
“This seems a good idea, but like has already been said, they will probably go to another area, but it’s also good to see Keeley is reformed if she can do it others can do it if the help is there,” someone else remarked.
“Keeley would make an incredible motivational speaker for offenders who are wanting to turn their lives around. #GMB,” one more shared. (sic)