UK Shops Lock Up Chocolate as Organised Theft Surges
Chocolate bars are now being treated like high-value electronics in parts of the UK, locked behind plastic security cases as retailers battle a sharp rise in theft.
In several supermarkets, including branches of Sainsbury's and Tesco , everyday items like Cadbury Dairy Milk are being sealed inside anti-theft boxes. Customers have to ask staff to unlock them. And this is not about a small spike in shoplifting. Retailers and police say chocolate is being stolen to order, then resold through illicit networks.
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According to the Association of Convenience Stores , confectionery has become a prime target for repeat offenders. Police forces across England have released CCTV footage showing suspects clearing entire shelves in seconds. In one case, a shelving unit loaded with chocolate was dragged straight out of a store. In another, a suspect was found with a coat stuffed full of stolen sweets.
The scale of the problem is striking. The British Retail Consortium reports millions of shop theft incidents recorded last year, along with thousands of daily cases of abuse and violence directed at retail workers. While overall numbers have dipped slightly, they remain among the highest ever documented.
For small shop owners, the financial impact is severe. Some say they are losing hundreds of pounds a week on chocolate alone. The Heart of England Co-Op estimates losses in the hundreds of thousands annually. Stores are now reducing displays, moving products away from entrances, installing advanced CCTV systems and even using AI to identify repeat offenders.
So why chocolate? Retail experts say it is compact, easy to conceal and in constant demand. Major global brands under companies like Mondelēz International and Mars, Incorporated have strong resale value. Stolen stock can quickly move through informal markets, corner shops, cafes, or online channels. That makes it attractive for organised retail crime groups.
Police say they are coordinating nationally to track patterns and dismantle these networks. Retail leaders are calling for stronger sentencing and more visible enforcement, arguing that retail crime funds broader criminal activity and puts frontline workers at risk.
This is not just about sweets. It is about rising organised theft, pressure on businesses already facing inflation and the safety of shop staff across the country.
We will continue to follow this story and bring you the latest developments as authorities respond to the growing wave of retail crime. Stay with us for more updates on this and other major stories unfolding around the world.
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