I’m unsure as to why this is surprising? When the cost of living increases and people struggle just to survive, they turn to crime. Governments need to stop obsessing over maintaining the short-term status quo and focus on long-term investment that will ensure things like this are a lot harder in the future.
Unsurprising when non-violent crime has practically become legalised after such a long period of fucking and underfunding both the police and our legal system.
Add a cost of living crisis onto that and it’s like adding fuel to the fire.
I semi-frequently see people coming into pubs trying to sell things like steaks and cheeses that they’ve nicked from a supermarket.