SHOPLIFTING increased across the country as the cost-of-living crisis ramped up, new figures have revealed.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveal South Yorkshire Police recorded 4,074 shoplifting offences between April 1 and August 31 this year.

Although that was a rise of 28.6 per cent compared to the 3,167 logged during the same period last year, the force recorded 4,156 thefts from shops over the five-month period in 2019 - 82 more.

Police forces were asked to provide the number of shoplifting offences recorded between the start of April and end of August, as well as the outcomes of such crimes.