This is the best summary I could come up with:

The cost of living crisis is "no excuse" for a rise in shoplifting, the policing minister has told Sky News, because the UK's benefits system is "very generous".

Chris Philp's comments come amid escalating levels of retail thefts, with increases blamed on inflation, organised crime and a lack of focus from police.

Asked if he had any sympathy for people stealing to put food on the table, Mr Philp said gangs, criminal re-selling and drugs were largely to blame.

A survey by the British Retail Consortium this year found levels of shoplifting in 10 major cities had risen by an average of 27% compared with 2022, costing businesses £1.76 billion over a 12-month period.

Field officer Nick Strickland said one supermarket in the centre of the city had a day when it saw 15 thefts in the first two hours it was open, with thieves targeting the store before security guards arrived.

In October, the Home Office announced a retail crime plan involving the creation of a team of specialist analysts to gather intelligence on gangs responsible for shoplifting.

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