Reports of shoplifting have nearly doubled over the past year, as retailers blame new legislation which doesn't pursue thefts of less than £200.

The Association of Convenience Store's (ACS) 2018 Crime Report revealed a sharp increase in offences committed in the sector, rising to 950,000 from 575,000 in the previous year, the equivalent of 200 thefts an hour, as reported by Retail Gazette.

The total cost of crimes committed has cost the convenience sector £193 million, the equivalent of a 7p crime tax on every transaction, or £3,873 per store every year.

Shoplifting accounts for 67 per cent of crimes in retail, according to Home Office figures. Thieves are targeting meat, cheese and alcohol - high value items which are easy to sell on.

The sharp rise in shoplifting has been put down to government legislation which states anyone caught stealing less than £200 will be dealt with by post rather than the police.

Last year, The Telegraph reported that this was leading to "prolific and persistent" offenders to abuse the system, stealing just under £200 of goods with minimal repercussions.

But shoplifting doesn't just have a financial cost.

In the ACS report, James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said: "Retail crime also has a physical and emotional cost. Staff face a number of triggers for violence when they carry out their day-to-day work, such as asking for ID when selling alcohol. 

"For the first time, this year's report shows that challenging shop thieves is the most common trigger for violence and verbal abuse.

"Retail crime is not victimless - it has a huge impact on the people running and working in local shops."

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