Chocolate theft on the rise: Retailers warn of organized crime and stolen goods
Chocolate bars are being locked in plastic boxes in some UK shops as retailers and police forces warn thieves are stealing them to order. Sainsbury's has started using transparent boxes that require customers to ask staff to open them, while other supermarkets like Tesco and Co-Op have also stepped up security measures.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) reports that chocolate is being sold on by criminals and is now a frequent target for prolific offenders. Police forces have shared CCTV footage of thefts, including a man stealing trays of chocolate and a whole shelving stand of chocolate. In one incident, a man was arrested with a coat full of Cadbury's Creme eggs.
Retail theft has a significant impact on businesses and staff, according to Cambridgeshire Police. The British Retail Consortium's annual crime report reveals 5.5 million detected incidents of shop theft and 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers last year, despite a 20% decrease from the previous year.
Supermarkets are implementing security measures such as half-filling shelves and promoting chocolate in less accessible positions. Convenience store owners in Leicester and Sheffield have installed CCTV cameras and AI technology to detect thieves, while a shop owner in Tenby, Wales, estimates losing £200-£300 a week due to chocolate theft.
Paul Cheema, owner of Malcom's convenience stores in Coventry, describes chocolate as the new target for organized crime, similar to razors, cheese, and coffee in the past. He mentions that stock is sold on to various establishments, and shoplifters can easily take £200-£250 worth of chocolate in a rucksack.
The ACS suggests that shopkeepers need more police support and stronger sentences for criminals to combat chocolate theft. Chief executive James Lowman emphasizes the need to shut down networks re-selling stolen goods and highlights the impact of confectionery theft on local shops and the wider criminal network.
