Co-op stores have been forced to lock away everyday goods such as chocolate, coffee and even honey as the cost of living crisis causes a surge in shoplifting. Many items across the shop are now in thick, plastic GPS protected security boxes to stop people from swiping them off the shelves.
Toiletries are also among the goods locked up, with sun cream, moisturiser and nose spray being among the protected items. Previously some stores had put labelled dummy goods on the shelf telling shoppers to ask for them if they wanted to buy and there were security tags on baby products.
But this is the first time chocolate has been locked away along with items such as a fruit and nut bar selling for only £1.35. A shop worker from the north London branch said that they have had to take the measure due to shoplifters in the store.
