Julian Hayescrime partner at Berris Law responded to a Sky News and Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) report showing that 80% of retailers surveyed had an incident of retail crime in the past week and 94% say theft has worsened in last year .

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) also reported that theft-related losses cost the retail sector millions every year, adding strain to an industry already struggling with post-pandemic recovery and economic uncertainty.

Hayes commented: “The current epidemic of high street and corner shoplifting across the UK is symptomatic of the failure of the police to take this seriously and formulate a strategic approach to tackling this debilitating crime.

“In the past, the police responded by forming specialized units to deal with such crimes. You just have to remember the units assembled to make the pickpockets on the streets of London.

“Unfortunately, this is a reflection of years of austerity and draining of police resources, both financially and manpower-wise. Even with an increase in resources with the other competing demands expected of modern policing, we question whether this crime will receive the priority it demands.”