And for him, the shoplifting list includes razor blades, smartphones, power tools and video games.

It might be assumed that shoplifters are predominantly made up of people desperate to feed themselves and their children at a time of austerity and a rise in demand for food banks.

However, the lists of the most stolen items suggest it is more a lifestyle choice – picking up treats that they would prefer not to spend their money on.

In terms of food and drink, the theft league is headed by wines and spirits, ahead of cheese, fresh meat, fish and gourmet or deli food, such as prosciutto (pictured)

Christmas and the big sale events like Black Friday are seen as big opportunities for criminals, including professional gangs, who are filling their festive wish lists through crime.

Such is the problem that supermarkets have resorted to putting security tags on everything from Christmas turkeys to manuka honey and some gourmet cheeses and meats.

The study is put together by retail security experts Checkpoint Systems, who said: ‘UK stores may suffer losses in the millions over the next few months alone, as shoplifters target items during the key winter sales periods, including Black Friday and Boxing Day.

‘Thieves are expected to use the increased footfall and influx of temporary sales staff as an opportunity to steal more merchandise.’

The Christmas shoplifting lists

For Her

Belts/scarves/earrings/purses

Shoes

Lingerie

Sunglasses

Handbags

Perfume and Fragrances

Make-up

For Him

Power Tools

Wine and spirits

Razor Blades

Cheese

Prosciutto ham

Video games/DVDS

iPhone/iPad

Source: Global Retail Theft Barometer

It added: ‘Small items, as well as items with a high resale value, were again among the most stolen in 2014, with fashion accessories, power tools, mobile device accessories, wine and spirits, and razor blades all topping the charts in their respective sectors.

‘Interestingly, ahead of the Christmas period, we found that one major UK retailer is security tagging prosciutto ham in an effort to reduce shrinkage of one of its most popular festive food lines over the key winter sales period.’

The firm said: ‘The number of Middle Britain shoplifters has increased in recent years. You can see the profile of people involved by looking at the products that are being stolen.

‘Phone accessories, wine, lingerie, fresh meat and razor blades among the most stolen items. If you look at health and beauty, we are seeing things like mascara and skin care products, you can see what kind of middle class women they would appeal to.’

According to official police data, published by the Home Office, there were more than 329,000 recorded incidents of shoplifting across the UK in 2014 – a three per cent increase on 2013 levels and around 27,000 more than in 2012.

Checkpoint said: ‘Worryingly, this is just the tip of the iceberg with stores sometimes not identifying thieves and some simply not even reporting incidents.

‘A number of police forces in the UK reported increases of more than five percent, with the Metropolitan Police Service recording a 9.1 percent increase and the Durham Constabulary topping the chart with a 20.7 percent rise in just one year.

‘Of the 44 forces analysed, just 14 recorded a decline in shoplifting last year.’

While shoplifters were responsible for the theft of items worth £800m, the survey suggested goods worth another £770m were taken by staff and a further £300m was lost as a result of supplier errors. 

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