The economic downturn is having a growing impact on shoplifting with thefts at Tesco up more than a third this year.

Tesco caught over 43,000 thieves stealing from its shops in the first half of the year, an increase of 36 per cent on last year, said the Financial Times.

Thefts of essential items grew at a faster rate than that of more luxury items, suggesting theft is being driven more by necessity than greed.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson said: “Retailers are preparing for an upsurge in offences and are extending crime prevention methods – for example, placing electronic security tags on expensive cuts of meat.”

Frozen foods retailer Iceland has also reported criminal activity is on the increase in its stores. Iceland said physical attacks on its staff were up 33 per cent on last year, with verbal abuse up 70 per cent.