The UK is the shop theft capital, with thieves helping themselves to goods worth £3.8 billion a year. The cost of shop crime rises to £4.3 billion when measures to combat the criminals are taken into account.

The figures are from the annual European Retail Theft Barometer, which looked at shops in 24 European countries.

Shops selling books and stationery were most at risk, followed by clothes and textile retailers. And while shoplifters stole the most items, members of staff came second in the stealing league, Sky News reported.