The cost-of-living crisis has seen a steep increase in shoplifting and consequently in measures taken by supermarket giants to guard goods from being nicked.

Alcohol, meat and electrical goods are all routinely fitted with anti-theft tags or stored in secure cabinets.

However a Tesco store was recently spotted taking things to the next level – by placing chocolate bars in plastic cases.

The 120g Cadbury Dairy Milk caramel bars cost £2.10 each, or £1.75 for Clubcard holders – and now must be released by staff at the checkout before purchase.

Shoppers reacted with bemusement to the measure, which was spotted at a store in Seven Kings in Ilford, East London.

One, Kash Ali said: ‘Times are hard, people will nick anything.’

‘The case cost more than the chocolate bar’, another named Angela

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