Crime · 13 November 2025
UK Supermarkets Tag Cheese and Coffee as Shoplifting Hits Record Levels
British supermarkets are fitting security tags on everyday items like cheddar cheese, instant coffee, and meat as shoplifting reaches unprecedented levels. Police recorded over 516,000 offences in 2024, the highest since records began, costing retailers £2.2 billion annually according to the British Retail Consortium. Organised crime gangs and cost-of-living pressures drive theft, with items resold through illegal markets. Stores now use tags, dummy products, and sealed containers once reserved for luxury goods. Only one in five reported incidents results in charges, leading retailers to invest heavily in security measures.
Reported by Office for National Statistics / British Retail Consortium · How we write briefs