The cost of living crisis is not to blame for an increase in the number of people shoplifting, the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association has said. 

Figures released by the CSO last month found theft crime is at its highest level in five years.

The CSNA has urged the Government to put more protections in place for staff as part of their Stop Crime Against Retailers campaign.

CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings said there are many reasons why people steal. 

“This is not driven by the cost of living,” he said. 

“Sometimes people suggest it’s because people are impoverished and that they are stealing to put food on the table. 

“If you look at the range of products that are being stolen, this is not basic essentials. 

“They’re taking just about everything that they can put their hands on.” 

Gardaí on patrol. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Mr Jennings said retail staff are increasingly scared of the amount of crime that takes place within shops. 

“It isn’t just shoplifting - it’s all forms of crime and criminal activity taking place in retail environments,” he said. 

“It’s assaults, it’s threats, it’s burglaries, it’s internal theft, it’s shakedowns - and it’s even extortions. 

“So, there’s a whole load of things going on in addition to the shoplifting.  

The association is calling for the introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or ‘ASBOs’, which they hope would serve as a deterrent.

Main image: File photo shows a man stealing in a supermarket. Picture by: Andriy Popov / Alamy Stock Photo