Cheese and baby food top list of stolen items

Cheese, fresh meats, and baby food are among the most common items stolen from supermarkets, as shoplifting rates soar.

A survey by Retail Ireland, published yesterday, found that 52% of retailers had experienced an increase in crime in the last two years, while 82% had experienced shoplifting.

Retail Ireland estimates that shoplifting equates to an overall loss to businesses of €512m a year.