Retailer hides baby milk to deter thieves as customers cry out for ‘sympathy’

A BUDGET retailer has hidden baby milk behind the counter to deter thieves from stealing – but shoppers are crying out for ‘sympathy’.

The One Stop, in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, has been waging a war against shoplifters for years.

2

But it is the first time owner Steve Green has had to hide such products behind his counter at his store, known locally as Leese’s.

Thieves have been targeting the branch for some time, since just before the Covid lockdowns.

Items such as chocolate, meat and coffee were stolen and then flogged in local pubs in the area.

Steve has since had to take baby formula, washing tablets and liquid detergent off the shelves and hide them behind his counter.

A sign in the store reads: “Due to a spate of shoplifting, we have decided to move the laundry detergent. We have placed it behind the counter.”

Now staff are asking patrons to remain vigilant and report suspected criminals.

Steve said: “The police are looking into it and we have put up signs in the store saying certain items are now being kept behind the counter.

“It’s been going on for three or four years, certain people would come in and take multiple items, like chocolate, so they could sell it elsewhere.

“Some people bring baby milk and detergent, so we put that behind the counter, but then they take other things with them, like meat, coffee, chocolate and whatever they can quickly sell in pubs. They are usually the more expensive items and they take not just one, but multiples of each item.

“We never used to have a lot of shoplifting. It was just before Covid broke out, so it has nothing to do with people struggling with the cost of living.”

He added: “I don’t think the thieves come from that far away, they park on the roadside or are cordoned off so we can’t see the vehicles they use on CCTV.

“The thing is, we are a franchise and not corporate owned, so whatever is stolen directly affects us.

“It’s time-consuming to check CCTV, submit paperwork to the police and constantly take stock. It means I can’t concentrate on things that need to be done.”

‘SHOCKING SITUATION’

Social media seemed divided on the issue, with one internet user calling for ‘condolences’.

They said: “Things are bad enough right now as families might take some pity and lower prices a bit.

“Even food banks are struggling to provide baby milk.”

Another wrote: “We all need to help in this shocking situation.”

However, other viewers branded shameless shoplifters as “disgusting” and “poor excuses for people”.

And a second said: ‘It must be awful in the rest of the city because Barlaston is one of the only nice places left.’

“Many people struggle to make ends meet, but they don’t steal,” said another.

It is not the first time stores have slapped labels on everyday necessities such as butter, amid rising thefts during the cost of living crisis.

Shoppers were left stunned after Tesco placed security tags on toilet paper, causing shoplifting to spiral out of control.

The ridiculous tags were spotted in rolls at a Tesco Express store in South London, where shoplifting rates are one of the worst in the country.

Meanwhile, Aldi placed security stickers on £1.20 multipacks after a spate of thefts.