Shops across the UK are reporting two thefts every minute as shoplifting becomes a growing epidemic, according to official data.
The Telegraph reports shoplifting figures hit a record high this year up until June, with 469,788 offences reported to police, a rise of 29% compared to the previous year's 365,173 total.
The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) equate to over 9,000 thefts per week, 1,290 per day and more than two every single minute, calculated on an average shop opening time of around 10 hours a day.
Data shows the crime rate is the highest since records began in March 2003.
The British Retail Consortium has calculated £1.8billion worth of goods are stolen each year, on top of another £700million splashed out on extra security.
Retailers have warned the theft figures effectively add 6p to every transaction by paying customers.
The numbers differ greatly from official police data as the majority of shops only report thefts to law enforcement when offenders are caught red-handed or on CCTV.
Just 17.7% of theft incidents resulted in the culprit being caught and charged, however this was up slightly on 15.5% the previous year.
Last year, amid a similarly alarming rise in shoplifting figures, Russell Borthwick, chief executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, called on the Scottish Government to ensure sufficient funding was in place to allow the police to properly deal with the issue..
His comments came as retailers raised concerns about organised shoplifting crime groups stealing to order and TikTok videos providing criminals with tips.