SUPERMARKET chain Iceland is locking clothes detergents in plastic boxes — to stop shoplifters making a clean getaway.
Bosses are protecting tablets, capsules and liquids costing up to £15 of brand names including Persil and Ariel following a spate of thefts.
Iceland are locking clothes detergents in plastic boxes to stop shoplifters stealing
Meat products have also been placed in boxes which trigger alarms if they are taken outside the branch in Doncaster, South Yorks.
One staff member said: “We have a security guard on as well but sometimes the thieves just wait until he’s on a break and take what they want. They are bloody brazen.”
It comes after we revealed home furnishings retailer Dunelm was locking duvets and pillowcases in PIN-protected cabinets to try to combat thieves.
The Association of Convenience Stores said the shoplifting scourge was blighting towns and cities with, in some cases, culprits pulling up in vans, grabbing goods and simply walking out.
Writing in today’s The Sun, its chief executive James Lowman said police must do more to tackle the shoplifting crimewave.
He blasts police for failing to respond properly to theft reports, a lack of visible officers and soft penalties if an offender is caught.
Mr Lowman warns: “More than half of thieves are repeat offenders — usually well known in the area — banking on the fact they won’t be challenged.
“Theft is also the biggest single trigger for abuse of colleagues and violent incidents in stores.
“I’ve heard reports of hammers, dirty needles and knives all being used as threats against store workers unless they open the till.”
Some shops have been using deterrents for months.
Over summer, a Co-op franchise in North East London put “display only” coffee jars on shelves after a 200g jar of Kenco Smooth Instant rose 13 per cent in price.
Nescafe Gold Blend was also removed from shelves after rising to £9.35.
Another Co-op, at Harborne in Birmingham, put GPS tracking cases on jars of coffee to deter thieves.
Iceland, meanwhile, was contacted for comment.