JUST 49 of the nation’s worst shoplifters have cost shops £3.4million as retailers face “unprecedented levels” of theft and violence.

The criminals, all arrested this year, have been linked to criminal gangs who see the shops as a profitable and soft target.

Two who were deported cost retailers £205,000 between them.

The massive haul stolen by a small number of criminals is revealed in figures released by the Police and Crime Commissioners to highlight the work of Operation Pegasus, a partnership between the police and shops.

But retailers are clamoring for more protection and warn that efforts to protect cities and town centres, including increased patrols, have simply moved the problem to the suburbs.

The Convenience Stores Association, which represents more than 50,000 smaller stores, said there were 76,000 incidents of violence against staff in local stores last year. He warned: “When we speak to retailers, they do not suggest that the rise in shoplifting is a result of household budgets tightening and people turning to shoplifting.

“In contrast, retailers reported that prolific criminals were forced to steal more to support an alcohol or drug addiction or as part of organized crime.

“Prolific criminals often use violence and aggression towards shop workers to escape or to deter shop workers from challenging them.”

Convenience stores are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be part of small shopping malls or the only retailer in their neighborhood. Favorite products to steal include coffee, meat, and alcohol.

In evidence given to a House of Lords inquiry, the Association said: “The risk to retailers is that proactive work to tackle retail crime in town centers or on larger high streets inadvertently diverts retail crime problems to secondary locations which they sell”.

Big chain stores are also suffering. The National Business Crime Solution, a body set up by retailers with members including The Co-op, Tesco and Next, said stores were experiencing “unprecedented levels of retail crime, spanning a wide range of criminal activity , including violence, abuse, theft, fraud, and anti-social behaviour.”

It said: “Retailers have reported a notable escalation in aggressive behavior towards staff, often linked to attempted theft or fraud.”

Some businesses are calling on councils to provide private security patrols in shopping centers and high streets, funded by a rise in business rates.

The National Association of Business Crime Partnerships said: “This will reduce the burden on the police and act as a huge deterrent to all crime, including more serious crimes such as drug and violent crime.”

Deputy Chief Constable Alex Goss, who oversees the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s response to shoplifting, said: “We know that retail crime has a significant impact on victims, which is why we are determined to do everything we can to reduce theft and prosecute criminals, especially those prolific and habitual criminals who cause havoc in the community.”

He said: “The Pegasus Partnership, led by CPC Katy Bourne, has been launched, which is funded by retailers and the Home Office. As part of this partnership, a team from Opal, the police’s national serious organized crime intelligence unit, has been working since May 1 to receive and compile intelligence packages on the organized crime aspects of shoplifting, which account for a significant proportion of crimes.

“Working with police forces, Opal has already facilitated the arrest of many high-profile offenders and continues to do so.”