Supermarkets and shops across London are intensifying efforts to curb the theft of chocolate bars by implementing stringent security measures, including locking products in plastic boxes and installing rail guards on shelves. This crackdown comes as retailers warn that stolen confectionery is increasingly being used to fund organised criminal activity in the capital.
Rising Shoplifting Incidents and Criminal Networks
The British Retail Consortium has disclosed that there were 5.5 million incidents of shoplifting last year, with many cases going undetected, suggesting the actual cost is significantly higher. Organised criminal gangs are targeting high-value, easily resold goods, exploiting perceived weaknesses in law enforcement. In London specifically, the Association of Convenience Stores reports that 40% of retailers have seen an increase in theft over the past year.
While items like meat, alcohol, and electrical goods have traditionally been prime targets for thieves, chocolate has now entered criminal networks. According to ACS chief executive James Lowman, confectionery is being resold through illicit markets, which helps finance broader criminal operations. He emphasised that, historically, chocolate theft was often opportunistic, but it has evolved into a systematic activity by gangs and repeat offenders.
Supermarket Responses and Security Investments
Major retailers such as Sainsbury's and Tesco have adopted drastic actions, mirroring strategies used in the United States to protect stock. For instance, Tesco has begun placing 120g Cadbury Dairy Milk caramel bars, priced at £2.10 each or £1.75 for Clubcard holders, in anti-theft boxes. A source from the supermarket chain clarified that security decisions are made on a store-by-store basis and denied it is a new policy.
Sainsbury's has similarly introduced boxes on products that are frequently targeted, with £2.60 bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk locked up in one London branch. A spokesperson stated that the company employs a range of security measures, and in areas with higher theft levels, additional steps like boxes or shelf-edge protection are implemented. Retailers have invested hundreds of millions of pounds in recent years to detect and deter in-store crime.
Government Legislation and Industry Calls for Action
The Government's Crime and Policing Bill, currently in its final drafting stages, aims to address retail crime by introducing a new standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker. This measure is intended to protect staff, quantify the problem, and reduce crime rates. Additionally, the bill will amend the Magistrates' Court Act 1980 to ensure shop thefts under £200 are treated as serious offences, removing perceived immunity.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, highlighted the growing link between theft and organised criminal gangs, who systematically target stores and steal large quantities of goods. She called for continued collaboration between retailers, police, and the government, focusing on consistent enforcement, improved data sharing, and targeted actions against prolific offenders. While a £7 million investment announced in the policing White Paper is a positive step, Dickinson stressed the need for sustained prioritisation and dedicated resources from law enforcement to protect the three million retail workers in the UK.
This situation underscores the escalating challenge of retail crime in London, with chocolate theft now posing a significant threat to community safety and business operations. Retailers remain vigilant, adapting security strategies to combat this evolving issue and safeguard their products from criminal exploitation.
