THIEVES on corner shop looting sprees are adding 6p to the cost of every shopper’s basket, figures reveal.
Cash-squeezed consumers are struggling to afford essentials as inflation has pushed the cost of items higher – but retailers say prolific shoplifters are worsening the situation.
Figures from the Association of Convenience Stores found that 63 per cent of thefts were by repeat offenders, who have become more brazen as they know there is a low chance of prosecution.
Jason Birks, manager of Mosci’s convenience store in Horden, County Durham, told The Sun his shop was seeing repeat offenders steal eight times a fortnight.
He admitted: “There is little deterrence from police, so we are seen as a soft target.”