‘It’s organised looting’: UK in grip of a shoplifting epidemic, say store owners

Shop thefts have more than doubled in the past three years, costing retailers 953m a year, according to the British Retail Consortium

In recent months, David, the manager of a Leeds Co-op store, and his staff have been threatened with razors, knives, screwdrivers, needles and hammers by shoplifters who have become more brazen and aggressive.

It feels like these offenders can simply come in and take what they want, and do what they want," the 36-year-old says. Not one or two items - they come in with bags, sacks or clothing, which can conceal hundreds of pounds worth of stock - coffee, meat, wine, laundry gel, anything that can be re-sold. It is looting. They are known in the city centre as repeat offenders... They know the police don't have the resources or can't attend quickly enough."