Co-op has utilized GPS tracking devices on sausages to combat theft.
A social media post revealed the application of trackers on a package of Co-op Irresistible Cumberland sausages, valued at £3.90, at a store in Sussex. The sausages were secured in a transparent box.
A Co-op spokesperson stated, “We believe that criminal activities can be reduced. Local stores play a crucial role in communities, and we are continuously investing significantly in various safety and security measures, including updated CCTV systems, body cameras, fortified booths, security enclosures, and both covert and overt security personnel.
“These efforts, combined with successful collaborations with local law enforcement and increased police presence, have led to a more than 20% decline in retail crime at Co-op last year – a trend that continues into 2026.”
UK supermarkets have been enhancing security measures in recent times to deter the escalation of theft within their premises. Additional tactics involve securing display cases and implementing receipt-scanning gates at exits.
Recent data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicated 5.5 million recorded theft incidents last year, resulting in nearly £400 million in losses for stores.
BRC figures also disclosed a 20% decrease in violence and abuse against retail employees in 2025, though it remained at the second-highest level on record.
Instances of physical violence against retail staff remained steady from the previous year, averaging 118 incidents per day, with about 36 daily incidents involving weapons.
Overall incidents decreased from 2,000 to 1,600 per day, but the BRC emphasized that levels remained “unacceptably high,” surpassing the pre-pandemic rate of 455 incidents daily.
The Crime and Policing Bill recently received Royal Assent, eliminating the previous £200 threshold for treating lower-value theft as a summary offense. All shoplifting incidents are now categorized as “general theft” and standard criminal offenses.
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