CRIME gangs are shoplifting huge quantities of baby milk powder so they can mix it with drugs.

       The Co-op, which has seen crimes spike to 1,000 a day across its stores, said infant formula is one of its most frequently stolen items.

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       Crime gangs are shoplifting huge quantities of baby milk powder so they can mix it with drugs Credit: @NatashaMDay/Twitter

       Jenny Alleyne, head of risk at Co-op Food, said baby milk was stolen because criminals can easily add the medically safe powder to their drugs to bulk up their supplies to boost profits.

       The Co-op said one of its stores had been targeted four times in one day, while other gangs performed a daily circuit of shop raids.

       Ms Alleyne said the other most commonly shoplifted items were meat, coffee, laundry tablets and health and beauty products which all have high resale value.

       She added: “This isn’t about shoplifting because people are struggling in the cost of living crisis to afford food.

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       "This is people coming in and swiping four shelves of product at a time into builders’ bags and even wheelie bins. It’s looting.

       “Baby milk is stolen to sell on too but often used in other illegal industries. It is a safe product to cut drugs with.”

       James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: “Our members are at the sharp end, seeing crime in their communities get steadily worse.

       "Shop theft is rising because repeat offenders and organised criminals are targeting local shops.”

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       Co-op Food MD Matt Hood said: “I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen violent theft where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.”

       A Freedom of Information request revealed police failed to respond to 71 per cent of serious retail crimes reported.

       Some -forces failed to respond to nine in ten of these crimes.