As shoplifting rates rise by 29 per cent this year, a 41-year-old single mother from Surrey reveals her guilt over her criminal habit.

With a block of shampoo bar in my hand, I pretend to smell another product as I expertly tuck it into the sleeve of my jacket.

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After looking around for a few more minutes, I casually walk out of the store, overcome with a wave of euphoria at getting away with my crime.

I had just shoplifted, stolen something I didn’t even need. And I knew I had to stop.

It seems I am one of a growing number of people who have recently shoplifted.

According to the Office for National Statistics, these types of offenses in England and Wales rose by 29 per cent in the year to June to almost half a million, and are at their highest level in two decades.

I have been shoplifting for four years and so far I estimate that I have stolen almost £5,000 worth of goods.

Luckily I’ve never been caught, but I have had a few near misses.

I don’t look like a stereotypical shoplifter. I am in my early forties and a single mother of two children with a full-time job as a primary school teacher.

I dress neatly and am always polite to store employees.

It wasn’t until 2020, when Covid hit and my life fell apart, that my habit started.

My partner left me and our children, now aged five and seven, and I cried myself to sleep, worried about how I would cope on my own.

I applied for Universal Credit but every month I was left with less than £200 to pay for food and necessities after paying the mortgage and bills.

One day I was shopping when I realized we were out of hand sanitizer. It was expensive in the early days of Covid and I couldn’t afford it.

Without thinking, I put two bottles in my bag. Then I grabbed a loaf of bread, cheese and some baked beans and headed to the self-service checkout.

My heart pounded as I just looked at the food, expecting a tap on my shoulder at any moment. But it didn’t come.

My shoplifting went from something born out of necessity to a compulsion that was beyond my control

That evening, as I sat at dinner with the kids, the reality of what I had done dawned on me. I had stolen for the first time in my life.

I went to bed feeling guilty and vowed I would never do it again. But I did that many more times.

My shoplifting went from something born out of necessity to a compulsion that was beyond my control.

Every time I went to the shops I started stealing. I stole everything from clothes for the children and myself to food, beauty products and toys I couldn’t afford.

I hated seeing my kids jealous of their playmates and I didn’t want them to go without them.

While there were some things I really needed, like fruit and vegetables that I ‘forgot’ to scan, other things I stole for the sake of money, like gold-plated earrings and tea lights.

Because I wasn’t stealing directly from anyone, I saw shoplifting as a victimless crime. But of course it isn’t.

The British Retail Consortium estimates that this costs the sector almost £2 billion every year – and it is consumers who suffer as prices rise to compensate.

I’d like to say that lack of money is the reason I shoplift, but I’d be lying. To be honest, stealing gives me a sense of euphoria.

Last week I stole a bottle of wine costing £14.99, a Squishmallow toy costing £19.99 and Christmas baubles costing £9.99.

Shoplifting is an addiction and I would like to stop it

None of these items were things I needed. Shoplifting is an addiction and I would like to stop it.

Not only do I feel guilty when the “high” of stealing wears off, but I’m also terrified of getting caught.

I once hung children’s clothes on hangers that already had stuff on them, so that the changing room employee couldn’t see them.

But I think she noticed because when I came out and looked at the exit, there were two police officers standing outside.

My instincts told me not to take the risk and I put the items back before walking out of the store.

The police officers stopped me and searched my bag, but of course found nothing.

Then I shook and cried, and swore for the hundredth time that I would stop. But I couldn’t.

Another time I went grocery shopping and used my own tote bag to gather the items, leaving a few behind while I scanned the rest.

An attendant came by and said she noticed I had more stuff in my bag.

I apologized and claimed I hadn’t noticed. It was another close call.

Not only do I feel guilty when the ‘high’ of stealing wears off, but I’m also terrified of getting caught

I think a lot of people get away with shoplifting because the police don’t do anything when stores call them.

Still, more than anything I want to quit my horrible habit.

If I get caught and get in trouble with the police, I could lose my job.

Worse, I could lose my children because they might have to live with their father full-time if I go to prison.

I never shoplift when the kids are with me; I would be ashamed if they ever found out.

I always tell them that stealing is wrong and despise my own hypocrisy.

I never shoplift when the kids are with me; I would be ashamed if they ever found out

I only told two people—friends who I knew wouldn’t judge—about my shoplifting, and they suggested I get help. But I’m too ashamed.

My father passed away five years ago and I would be devastated if my mother found out about my crimes.

She has always been so proud of me and I would hate to bring shame to the family.

People empathize with alcohol and drug addicts, but I don’t think they would feel the same about someone who is addicted to stealing.

I know I have to take action to stop this before it’s too late and my career and life are ruined.

‘It’s a selfish crime’

RETAIL expert Clare Bailey, appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Sky News, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. Everyone is a victim.

“Because shops and businesses suffer so much damage from theft, they have to raise prices to cover that loss. If there were no shoplifting, prices might even drop. So we all pay for it.

“Shop staff are also victims. While some people are very sneaky about the way they steal, others can be quite violent. The charity Retail Trust is receiving more and more reports from store staff who have had to deal with people who steal.

“They are facing quite serious, violent reactions. It’s getting kind of scary.

“These are often people who work for the minimum wage and have no training to deal with these situations.

“But they are confronted with it day in and day out, while that should never happen.

“Shoplifting is on the rise and it’s almost as if now that the cost of living has gone up, people are thinking, ‘Why wouldn’t I do that?’

“But we need companies making profits to keep the economy going and we need institutional investors making enough money so they can pay for things like pension funds.

‘Tesco may be one of the largest investors in your grandparents’ pension fund.

“If they lose money, anyone could be affected.

“As most of us are honest, we completely accept the security tags and plastic boxes that stores have had to introduce to control theft.

“Of course the tags and covers also cost money, but it is better than losing the product.

“If you are caught shoplifting you risk a criminal record and this will further impact your employment and earning potential.

“It’s a crime and a selfish crime. Everyone pays the costs of shoplifting.”

For more information, see retailchampion.co.uk.