Store owners say shoplifting is “completely out of hand” in Perth with incidents skyrocketing 30 per cent in the past year.

Police figures show the worst hit areas are Armadale which has experienced a 68 per cent increase in retail theft, Fremantle, 51 per cent, and Midland, 35 per cent.

The rise comes despite overall crime remaining steady and some offences even showing a slight drop.

Since January 1, there has been 8985 reported cases of shoplifting in the metropolitan area compared with 6814 in the first six months last year.

Sporting equipment retailer Jim Kidd told The West Australian that his 10 stores were hit almost daily by shoplifters who often worked in groups to distract staff while their accomplices made off with goods.

He said the scale of the problem was “completely out of hand” and he was now considering facial recognition technology as part of boosted security measures to combat repeat offenders.

For The West Australian's full subscriber exclusive story go to: ‘No fear’: Brazen shoplifters terrorise Perth stores