In UK shoplifting epidemic even pound shops targeted

Such is the extent of the current wave of shoplifting that even pound shops are having to install new security measures to head off losses in the thousands. "Shoplifting is pretty horrific at the moment, it's out of control completely," says John Bebbington, owner of Everything One Pound in Bristol.

- JOE MIDDLETON

While major retailers have warned of the rise in the problem and the strain it puts on staff, it can be an even bigger challenge for independent businesses. Mr Bebbington said theft has become a weekly scenario. He has been dealing with it while his wife recovers from cancer.

He puts the increase down to the cost of living crisis and the failure of criminal sanctions to act as a deterrent. The 61-yearold has installed CCTV cameras, mirrors and cabinets, and changed the layout of his shop.

"The last few years, it's been crazy the audacity of it," he said. "Whereas before people would walk in and look suspicious, and spend ages in the shop, now they literally walk in, pick up what they want to steal and walk out. That's probably the biggest change. You can't have anything shoplifters can walk behind. If I've got one person at the till, they've got to be able to see across all the tables of products, so any high racks with goods have to be at the back of the shop.

"We used to have piercings and belly bars up on the walls, but I had to spend £500 to put them all into cases because they were going missing, so they have to be covered now so people have to ask to see them."