Tesco shoppers were left 'heartbroken' after discovering Aptamil baby formula locked in 'security cages' at a store in the West Midlands. The move at the Swan Island Tesco in Yardley, Birmingham comes amid a spike in shoplifting.
The price of baby formula milk has skyrocketed recently, with some brands hiking their prices by over 25%. A report from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service revealed that two-thirds of women said this increase has strained their family budgets, leading some to cut back on food for other family members, BirminghamLive reports.
Shoplifting incidents have surged across the West Midlands, as per official data released earlier this year. Tesco stated that they may secure certain items in individual stores if necessary, a practice they've been following for years.
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At the Swan Island Tesco on Coventry Road, some baby formula brands are placed in mesh bags secured with an alarm device to deter thieves. The security bag is removed by staff at the checkout and triggers an alarm if someone attempts to leave without paying.
Photos show the popular Aptamil baby milk, costing between £13.50 and £18, locked up in cages at a shop. A customer told the Mirror that seeing the baby milk with security made her feel 'heartbroken' because it shows parents are finding it hard to buy food for their kids. Another person posted online: "This is possibly one of the saddest things I've seen in my local Tesco. Baby formula being security alarmed to prevent theft."
Tesco didn't want to say anything but mentioned that some items might have security tags in certain shops. With the cost of living going up, stores are using more ways to stop people from stealing, like tags, showing empty boxes, or keeping pricey stuff behind the counter.
The BBC said last year that other supermarkets, like Sainsbury's and Co-op, also put security tags on baby milk. The price of the cheapest baby milk at Aldi is now more than the £8.50-a-week given by the Healthy Start vouchers for families on Universal Credit.
The price of Mamia First Infant Milk (900g, Aldi) - the least expensive baby milk - has gone up by 34% in two years, from £6.99 to £9.39. The World Health Organisation has asked governments to help families who are struggling and try to make the prices lower in shops.
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