West Mercia Police has recorded one of the highest rates of shoplifting in the UK.

According to research by business insurance experts at Bionic, the area covered by West Mercia Police logs the 10th highest rate of shoplifting crimes per 1,000 people in 2023.

The study found West Mercia had a shoplifting rate of 8.2 per 1,000 people, 15 per cent above the national average of 7.1 crimes per 1,000 people.

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Out of all areas in Worcestershire, Worcester accounted for the highest number of incidents with 1,446 crimes, taking second spot in West Mercia's jurisdiction as it trailed behind only Telford in Shropshire.

Kidderminster was fourth, with 916 logged crimes, ahead of Redditch in fifth with 755 and sixth place Bromsgrove with 470.

Evesham was the seventh highest, with 411, while Malvern rounded off the top 10 locations with 283 incidents.

The worst month for shoplifting in the West Mercia area was October, with 974 crimes logged, while December saw the fewest with 627 crimes.

The study also highlighted that West Mercia had the highest shoplifting rate amongst all West Midlands police forces, with West Midlands Police logging 7.8 crimes per 1,000 people, Staffordshire Police 5.5 crimes, and Warwickshire Police 5.1 crimes.

Laura Court-Jones, small business editor at Bionic, said: "Overall, our study highlights a concerning rise in shoplifting across the UK, with businesses in the West Mercia Police area being particularly vulnerable to this spike.

"The recent increase in theft - up by 26 per cent year over year in the UK - is undoubtedly linked to the current economic pressures, as people struggle with the cost of living.

"For businesses in the West Mercia police area, this impact can be devastating, especially for those without the resources to invest in things like security measures and using physical deterrents."

She also suggested ways for businesses to protect themselves from shoplifting, including installing security systems like CCTV cameras and alarms, using signs to deter potential thieves, and keeping high-value items in sight of staff or behind counters.