Struggling residents have been urged to seek help before turning to crime to address their financial difficulties.

According to a report by financial news site TradingPedia, shoplifting is on the rise in the UK - mainly due to the "constantly rising cost of living and food prices that are subject to the most rapid increase in over four decades." 

In the 12-month period to March 2023, several grocery items saw a price rise of over 40 per cent, with cucumbers (52 per cent), olive oil (49 per cent), and hard cheese (44 per cent) showing the highest annual growth.

The number of reported shoplifting incidents soared in the most deprived regions of the UK, where the crisis has hit the hardest.

In 2022, the England and Wales Police processed nearly 296,00 reports, a 24 per cent increase compared to 2021. 

And according to TradingPedia's study, North Wales has been ranked 15th in the UK for the highest number of shoplifting incidents, with 589 such crimes per 100,000 residents.

On the data, a North Wales Police spokesman said: "We know that acquisitive crime such as shoplifting can be devastating to businesses of all sizes. 

"That’s why we have launched our ‘We don’t buy crime’ initiative, which provides support in the following ways;

"We support businesses to improve their security measures.

"We visit local businesses throughout the region to advise on how to keep their property and business safe.

"We invite them to sign up to our ‘We Don’t Buy Crime’ partnership approach.

"We advise them on the use of lighting and CCTV to deter offenders.

"And we provide signs to display, stating that property offered for sale will be checked.

"We understand the impact these types of offences can have on individuals, communities, and businesses, and that’s why we are working hard to prevent, as well as detect these crimes as a priority.

"To find out how we’re partnering with communities and businesses to minimise crime, and catch and convict offenders who commit burglary, robbery, theft and vehicle crime, visit https://www.northwales.police.uk/police-forces/north-wales-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/2023/we-dont-buy-crime/."

And as Insp Stevenson suggested, the rising cost of living cost has indeed seen people turn to foodbanks for help.

Andy Leake, chair of trustees at Flintshire Foodbank, said the organisation has seen a 47 per cent increase in demand from March 2022 to March 2023 (compared to the previous 12 months.)

Not only that - food donations have been decreasing, leading to what Mr Leake described as "a perfect storm."

He said: "Supplies are down and we're spending a lot of our reserves on purchasing food.

"It's staples we're short of - those absolutely core essentials which make up a food parcel.

"We did have a baked bean mountain, but now we have actually had to go out and buy 500 tins of beans because we've seen the demand increase and the fall-off in donations."

Mr Leake said the increasing cost of living has seen many people who would not have normally accessed the foodbank now struggling and reaching out for help.

"When the winter was with us," he explained, "the heating costs were so high and we saw more and more people coming to the foodbank.

"In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, we fed 1,500 people.

"And it is not just people on benefits who reach out for help - the number of people who come to the foodbank and who are in work has dramatically increased.

"I don't think anyone really wants to come to a foodbank - everyone would like to manage their income and eat and heat their homes.

"But some people just don't have that kind of money."

Speaking to those who may need help but feel reluctant to come forward, he said: "There's always an extremely warm welcome to anyone who comes in.

"We just want to help and look after people. Our doors are open and if you want some help to walk across the threshold, we will help you in any way we can to make it as easy as possible."

Mr Leake urged anyone who can donate to do so, adding: "Every contribution makes a difference.

"We realise how difficult it is to make your money go as far as you can and we want to say a huge thanks for all the donations we have had over the years.

"If people can give a bit extra or put one tin in the collection bin at the supermarket, we'd be so grateful."