An Aldi supermarket has put security tags on bags of sweets worth as little as 85p because of a sudden increase in shoplifting due to the cost of living crisis.
The discount retailer's branch in Rushey Green, Catford, south London, put yellow security stickers on several of its confectionary items.
These include Haribo Tangfastics costing a mere £1, a pack of five Cadbury Twirls selling for £1.05, and a Kinder Snack Bar, for 85p.
Recently, due to rising prices, plenty of other everyday items at supermarkets have had security tags put on them in recent months, such as cheese, milk, butter and even baby milk formula.
According to the Office for National Statistics, shoplifting has increased by 18 per cent in the year to the end of June, in comparison to the previous 12-month period.
When prices of tubs of Lurpak rose to almost £10, Asda put security tags on them.
Typically security tags are used on expensive or hazardous items, such as razors or alcohol.
The tags are removed once an item has been purchased, with the sales assistant manually removing the box.
If someone leaves the shop without paying for a security-tagged item, they will trigger the shop alarm.
An Aldi spokesperson told The Mirror: "This is not a national policy, just something implemented in one store in response to a local issue."
It comes as Britons are facing their most expensive Christmas in years due to inflation and price rises.
Households will see their yearly food shopping bills hiked by £380 this year due to the soaring price of groceries.
Figures from analysts Kantar show that grocery price inflation jumped to 8.3% over the four weeks to June 12.
That is an increase on 7% in May, and the highest level since April 2009.
Last month, Tesco shoppers were left stunned when they found milk containers had security tags on them.
At least three milk bottles at the Tesco Extra in Pool, Cornwall, had individual security tags.
However, a Tesco spokesperson told The Mirror: "We do not have a policy to place security tags on fresh milk.
"A very small amount of milk was incorrectly tagged today in our Redruth Extra store and these tags have now been removed.
"We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused."
