Cost of living not to blame for rise in retail theft

Hard liquor is the most stolen item in NSW, accounting for 37 per cent of incidents in 2022/23. (Melanie Foster/AAP PHOTOS)

A sharp rise in retail theft across NSW has brought the crime back to pre-pandemic levels, and researchers say the cost-of-living crisis is not to blame. 

Retail theft fell significantly during the pandemic, but incidents have increased by 48 per cent in the 24 months to June this year, a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report reveals.