Retailers face a festive theft spree

SHOPKEEPERS are being warned that this Christmas could be one of the worst on record for theft as festive fraudsters prepare to steal more than £980 million worth of goods over the next few weeks.

The Centre for Retail Research predicts a 36m rise in stolen goods on last year with alcohol, women's clothing and fashion accessories top of the list. Scottish shops expect to lose just under 70m to thieves, or 12.98 per person, making it the second lowest targeted are of the UK,