‘I’d steal 10-15 times a day’: ex-offenders on the addictions driving prolific shoplifting

Former shoplifters say treatment and drug rehabilitation are essential to ending cycle of theft and imprisonment

• Police to target 500 chronic shoplifters in retail crime crackdown in England

When Rhys, 34, stole goods from shops across Birmingham, he would often leave notes for the staff apologising for his actions.

“I’d feel that guilty about it. I’d pass them notes, saying I’m so sorry about this,” he said. “But in the end, I was just that numb to it, and fearless as well. I’d walk in with a suitcase and ram everything into it, and not think twice about it.”