Shops forced to put security tags on pet food as thieving epidemic worsens

20 January 2024 , 16:42

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Cat food and dog food with security tags on shelves

Things really are going to the dogs in the shoplifting epidemic as stores are forced to slap security tags on pet food.

Anti-theft tags which first appeared on steak are being used on lower-priced grub for our animals. We spotted Sainsbury’s staff tagging items including own-brand dog meat worth £4.50, £5 Whiskas Fish Favourites and £6.10 Cesar Country Stew. Rival Tesco tagged a similar selection, including its own-brand £3.65 dog food and £3.30 cat food.

Thefts have soared as hard-up people turn to the black market. Emmeline Taylor, host of the podcast Retail Crime Uncovered and professor of criminology at City, University of London, said: “The UK is in the midst of a shoplifting epidemic. We’re all used to seeing expensive items protected but in some cases this has displaced theft on to cheaper items.

“Criminals who do not want to leave empty-handed are switching to the cheaper products, so businesses are responding by tagging these items, too. Tagging products has got easier with soft tags that can be quickly applied.”

The British Retail Consortium estimates shoplifting costs £1billion a year – with thieves now “bolder and more aggressive”.

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Sainsbury’s said its shops “implement security measures which are tailored to the individual needs of their branch”.

Tesco was contacted for comment.

Dominik Lemanski