Shoplifting an 'epidemic' with armed thieves

SHOPLIFTING is at a 20-year high with thieves bolder, more aggressive and increasingly armed.

- Jan Disley

Police forces have logged 443,995 offences in the year to March, up 30% on the previous 12 months, according to official figures.

It is the highest number since current Office for National Statistics records began in 2003 and led to one expert saying the nation is facing an "epidemic of retail crime".

The cost of such theft hit £1.8billion last year as the new government vows to make low-level shoplifting and assaulting a shop worker a specific criminal offence.

It follows a long-running campaign from business owners and the Conservative MP Matt Vickers, who is now shadow policing minister.

Retailers hope the measures will make it easier for police to investigate and prosecute criminals.