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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By

Lucy Mapstone for MailOnline

Published:
11:33 EST, 3 November 2015

|
Updated:
12:55 EST, 3 November 2015

Show some skin in Elsa’s mesh triangle bra by Women’s Secret

She teams the brassiere with a tiny black thong, while nonchalantly caping a leather jacket over her shoulders and posing with a set of golden headphones.

The enviably flat-stomached mother-of-three also had a chance to show off the discreet little crescent-shaped tattoo sat on her lower abs, just above her hip.

He’s a lucky guy! The wife of actor Chris Hemsworth flaunted her incredible lithe curves and small but ample assets in an array of sheer black lingerie for the brand

Grease is the word: The Spanish actress and model got into character as she filmed the brand’s new campaign, rocking a leather jacket while her blonde locks were stylishly messy

Her blonde locks were styled into a sexily messy style, apparently windswept, as she posed up a storm for the vibrant campaign.

Another image showed her in a lacy matching set, a bra with a frilly trim across her ribcage, with a co-ordinating pair of briefs.

Her pale eyes glowed as she gazed into the camera’s lense while holding on tight to an old-school microphone.

Sharing the photos on her Instagram page, the Spanish model and actress – who is best known for her role as Elena Neves in the latest of the Fast Furious movies – gushed over how proud she was to have taken part.

First of all writing in her mother tongue, before switching to English, she wrote: ‘Happy with the @womensecretofficial campaign. Thanks to all the team for such a great experience. See you November 11th to present the music video.’

What a woman: The Fast Furious star recently appeared at the Women’s Secret photocall in Madrid – her home city – looking typically stunning in a racy black ensemble

Just a few weeks ago, Elsa had appeared at a red carpet launch in Madrid – her home town – for lingerie brand Women’s Secret, celebrating the release of the forthcoming new commerical.

The star – who has daughter India Rose, three, and 18-month-old twins Tristan and Sasha with her Australian actor husband – has been married to Australian hunk Chris since 2010 after meeting through their mutual representatives, and they divide their time between their home countries and LA.

Earlier this year, Chris confessed during a speech at the G’Day USA Gala that in spite of all his fame and film glory, the best thing that’s happened to him was meeting Elsa.

‘The best thing I’ve got from coming to L.A. was meeting my wife and who I love very much, and that is the greatest thing over the last few years.

‘So, thank you, everyone, but especially my wife’, he enthused as he picked up the prize for excellence in film. 

Strong bond: Elsa and Chris have been happily married since 2010, and have three children together – the Australian actor recently gushed over his lovely lady, admitting she’s the best thing that ever happened to him

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