PROTEIN bars priced at just £1 are being locked in security boxes at supermarkets as the cost-of-living crisis bites.
They were spotted by shopper Andrei Lespezeanu at a Tesco in Gilesgate, Co Durham.
He said: “I’m confused why the store felt the need to do this since there are other items worth more that don’t have security boxes.
“The only explanation I can come up with is that people are prone to stealing protein bars.”
Stores in Greenwich, South East London, and Romford, East London also now keep protein bars in security boxes.
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It comes after two Tescos in Greater Manchester locked away £3 false eyelashes and £5 anti-wrinkle cream.
Last month, customers were cheesed off as Tesc started putting security tags on cheese amid reports of hard-up Brits having to steal everyday items due to rising costs.
One customer said the move was a "sign of the times" after they saw a member of staff "slapping" the security stickers on a number of cheeses, including own-brand items.
As the cost of living crisis deepens and food prices soar, first-time shoplifters are "stealing to eat", according to supermarket bosses.
The customer, who was visiting a store in Taunton, Somerset, told SomersetLive: "This really is a sign of the times.
"Having recently seen security tags on milk in Cornwall and now on own-brand cheese in Somerset, it makes you wonder how desperate people are becoming if supermarket chains are having to take such measures."
A branch of Tesco in Cornwall apologised for "human error" after four pint bottles of milk were tagged in November.