THEFTS from supermarkets have increased in Carmarthenshire over the last three years according to figures obtained from Dyfed-Powys Police.

The South Wales Guardian submitted a freedom of information request to the force asking for the details of how many thefts from supermarkets had been reported each year in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and how many charges or summons had been brought against them.

The data reflects supermarkets Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Tesco and Co Op.

Over the three years, more than 1,000 incidents of theft from any of the above supermarkets were reported in Carmarthenshire.

In 2020, 360 thefts were reported. This decreased slightly in 2021, with 336 being reported, but 2022, saw a rise on 2020 figures as 441 thefts were reported in the county, bringing the total to 1,137 over the three-year period.

Over the three-year period, 176 people were either charged or summonsed in relation to the offences, coming in at around 15 per cent of the crimes committed.

MORE NEWS:

In 2020, there were 48 individuals either charged or summonsed, with an increase to 56 in 2021 and 72 in 2022.

The number of people who were convicted of the offences was not provided by the force due to the time constraints within the FOI time frame.

The figures suggest that the increase in thefts could be related to the cost-of-living crisis with figures in 2022 the highest as the UK battles with inflating costs for everyday items including food and of course the soaring energy costs.

In December, the British Retail Consortium said that shoplifting cost UK retailers £663 million in 2020-21.