More than 4,000 shoplifting offences have taken place in Wiltshire over the last year, a new study has revealed.

The investigation, carried out by Personal Injury Claims UK, found Wiltshire Police have recorded 16,865 shoplifting offences since April 2021, with a sharp increase noted since 2023.

In 2019/20, Wiltshire saw 4,220 shoplifting offences, the second-highest total in the last five years.

This number fell to 2,652 in the following two years due to restrictions during the pandemic.

However, as these measures were lifted, the number of shoplifting offences began to climb again, reaching 3,487 in 2022/23.

In the past year, Wiltshire has seen another rise, with offences increasing to 4,313 in 2023/24, mirroring the broader national trend.

The number of charges or summons for shoplifting in Wiltshire since 2019The number of shoplifting offences in Wiltshire since 2019 (Image: Personal Injury Claims UK) The study comes as the Office for National Statistics revealed a 30 per cent rise in shoplifting across England and Wales in the past year, pushing figures to a 20-year high.

Retail bosses have criticised ministers, saying they have effectively allowed shoplifting to become decriminalised, pointing to the disparity between the number of annual offences and prosecutions, and a significant number of crimes going unreported.

Despite the surge in offences, a report by The Times suggested a stark decrease in punishment for shoplifters.

Only around 16 per cent of shoplifting offences in Wiltshire result in a prosecution.

In 2019/20, this figure stood at 18 per cent, with 745 charges and summons issued.

The next two years saw a decrease to 332 charges and summons as fewer offences took place over that period.

As pandemic restrictions lifted and the cost-of-living crisis ensued, the number of charges and summons rose again, reaching 749 by 2023/24.

The number of charges or summons for shoplifting in Wiltshire since 2019The number of charges or summons for shoplifting in Wiltshire since 2019 (Image: Personal Injury Claims UK) The rising cost of living is thought to be a significant factor behind the increase in shoplifting.

Retailers such as the Co-op and John Lewis have reported record levels of crime, including incidents of abuse, violence, and anti-social behaviour alongside the surge in theft.

Businesses are feeling the pinch, with theft losses doubling to £1.8 billion in the past year.

This is despite an additional £1.2 billion being spent on anti-crime measures, up from £950 million the year before.

Personal Injury Claims UK offers free advice and support to those who may have been injured at work while confronting a shoplifter.

It operates a 24-hour helpline and claim online form, which is available on its website.