The cost of living crisis and drug issues are being blamed for a surge in shoplifting in Norfolk since the pandemic.
Shoplifting rose by 33pc in Norfolk according to the most recent data released by the Office for National Statistics.
Emma, 23, from Norwich, admits she has resorted to the crime despite having a job.
“I never thought that I would shoplift,” said Emma, which is not her real name. “But I feel like I have no other choice.
“I struggle to afford my gas, electricity and food.
“I try to only take essentials but I still feel embarrassed about it.”
She is not alone.
Shoplifting rose in Norfolk from 2,682 to 3,557 between September 2020-21 and September 2021-22, with the easing of Covid restrictions contributing to that uptick.
That is almost double compared to the rest of the Eastern Counties, which recorded an average rise of 17pc.
However, a Freedom of Information request to Norfolk Police revealed this number is lower than the number of thefts recorded in 2018 and 2019, which totalled 4,028 and 4,367 respectively.
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That shoplifting total in Norfolk is half the national average for counties, which is 7,359.
The worst areas for shoplifting in 2021-22 were West Yorkshire (17,463), West Midlands (16,142) and Greater Manchester (16,006) - with over 50,000 more shoplifting crimes reported nationally compared to the same period in 2021.
However, the cost of living crisis is also seeing some students turn to shoplifting.
According to the Ucas website, Norwich is one of the most affordable cities to live in for those in higher education, with the average cost of a private rental coming in at £350.
But this is before water and energy bills.
Some students said that the massive increases were making it harder for them to balance their monthly income and outgoings.
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Helen - also not her real name - is 21 and currently a student shoplifter from Norwich, who has started stealing again because she could no longer afford to pay for necessary items.
She said: “I first started shoplifting when I was 13, mainly taking make-up and small items I couldn’t afford.
“I knew I needed to stop when I got caught by the police.
“It started up again when I got to university and I started to struggle with my finances.
“I have to steal every now and again because of this.”
A study by the Centre for Retail Research estimated that shoplifting had cost the British economy £660m in 2021-22, amid the national rise.
Jamie Barnes is operations manager at Fresh Start Future Enterprises, a Norwich-based mentoring and advocacy service that supports people released from prison and helps them re-integrate into their community.
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He said: “Our client group who receive benefits or are homeless have found the cost of living crisis a trigger for shoplifting.
“A high proportion of our caseload is theft, burglary and shoplifting.
“We are also aware that lots of our clients who have shoplifted suffer from drug addictions.
“Drug addiction is a need, and shoplifting is easier than burgling a house.
“Our care plans move from identifying the trigger to shoplift to putting the care needed into place for our clients.
“The youngest we have worked with was 17 and, from our knowledge, she has not reoffended.”
Norfolk police and crime commissioner, Giles Orpen-Smellie, has said that the force he oversees will be taking special measures to tackle the rise in theft and shoplifting.
He said: “Despite the rise in crime, Norfolk is still a strong performing force, and my officers and staff are committed in their efforts to tackle crimes that matter most to our community.”
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