The number of shoplifting incidents has risen by 70% since the turn of the century, with thieves getting away with goods worth an average of £149 each time, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Its annual Retail Crime Survey reckons shoplifting has cost British shops £13.26 billion since 2000. That figure includes the cost of crime prevention.

BRC director-general Kevin Hawkins said:

"The huge increase in the number of shoplifting incidents is extremely worrying.

"It is having a very serious financial impact and is putting the safety and wellbeing of staff and customers at risk."