Fury as Tesco puts security tags on kids colouring pencils - worth just 18p each

12 February 2024 , 14:27

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A number of children’s pens and colouring pencils had security tags on them (Image: Jam Press)

Tesco has sparked outrage by putting security tags on children's colouring pencils, each worth just 18p. The move comes as the cost-of-living crisis has lead to a rise in shoplifting incidents nationwide.

The cheapest item with a security tag is a two-pack of Berol handwriting pens priced at £2.20. But tags have also been spotted on a 12-pack of Noris colouring pencils costing £2.25, which works out at just 18p per pencil.

Security measures have also been applied to a 3-pack of Zebra Mermaid for £2.50 and a 10-pack of Zebra Grip ballpoint pens for £3. Other items include a Bic Evolution Stripes 6-pack for £3.75, a Tesco own brand Ballpoint pen set 20-pack for £5, and Papermate mechanical pencils for £6.

These were seen at the Tesco Extra store in Finsley Gate, Burnley, Lancs. Local resident Dylan John, 46, told What's The Jam: "I only went in for a ballpoint pen and felt like I was shopping for a Rolex watch.

Pencils costing 18p each had a security tag on them (Jam Press)

Colouring pens are also being security-tagged (Jam Press)

"Even the children's pen set worth £2.20 had a tag on it. Are shoplifters getting that desperate? I can understand a nice bottle of whiskey or champagne having a security tag on but a ballpoint pen set? The world has gone bonkers."

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In July last year, shoplifting callouts to supermarkets rose by as much as 75% last year as the cost of living crisis saw hungry Brits turn to stealing.

Exclusive figures obtained by The Mirror saw huge upturns in reports of people stealing food, drink and other essentials from the country’s leading chains, with almost every force in England and Wales recording an increase.

West Midlands Police saw a 70% rise in reports of customers caught pinching goods at the likes of Tesco, ASDA and the Co-op last year when compared with figures from 2021, Freedom of Information data revealed.

As a result of the callouts, supermarkets were seen making unprecedented moves to prevent essentials from being swiped, with security measures seen on the likes of milk, fresh meat and even baby formula last summer.

Tesco has been approached for comment.

Zahra Khaliq