Tue, 24 Feb 2026

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 Chocolate kept in anti-theft boxes as retailers warn it's being stolen to order

Retailers and police forces tell the BBC that thieves are targeting chocolate and selling it on.

* Some UK shops are locking chocolate bars in plastic boxes due to high levels of theft.
* Sainsbury's has started using these boxes on its £2.60 Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, with other supermarkets such as Tesco and Co-Op also taking similar measures.
* Police forces have reported a trend of chocolate being targeted by thieves, who are often selling it on through illicit markets.
* Last year, there were 5.5 million detected incidents of shop theft in the UK, with 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers.
* The Heart of England Co-Op group lost £250,000 to chocolate theft last year, making it its most stolen product.
* Retailers are taking measures to prevent thefts, including installing CCTV cameras and using AI technology to detect known shoplifters.
* Police and retailers are calling for stronger sentences for repeat offenders and more action to shut down networks re-selling stolen goods.
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