Shoplifters force Tesco to put salmon into plastic security boxes

A 'mortified' shopper claims buying salmon in Tesco turned into an 'ordeal' - as the fillets were locked in a 'massive plastic security box' to deter thieves. Roisin Crowley Linton was buying ingredients for a miso dish from her local Tesco Express in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne on Friday April 12 but was surprised to discover the fish was locked up in a big plastic box. The 31-year-old admits she was confused at the extravagance of the security box given the item only cost £4.85.

It is not the first time supermarkets have been mocked for locking up food products during the cost-of-living crisis, including Tesco locking up a £2 protein bar in September and Co-op securing Cadbury's Fruit and Nut bars last month. Roisin shared a video of the unusual sight to TikTok, which has now gained more than 16,700 views.

The clip captures Roisin picking up the salmon and walking towards the till with the caption 'why is walking through the shop with this whopper the most embarrassing thing that Tesco could possibly make me do?'. Many users in the comments agreed that loving away the salmon is 'ridiculous' while others came to the shop's defence saying 'blame the shoplifters not the supermarkets'.

Roisin revealed the experience made her 'cringe' and jokingly compared it to buying toilet paper in public. Roisin said: "When I went in there were only two on the shelves in massive locked boxes. It was really mortifying. It's such a big box as well. It's very grandiose. I don't even know if it would fit in a basket.

"I had three things in my hands and that was as many as I could carry but one of them was this gigantic see-through box. It's the same as buying toilet paper. It makes me cringe. It's very embarrassing.

"I just wanted to get my broccoli and my salmon and go home but then all of a sudden it's some big ordeal. You have to go to the tills as well and not just go to self service. It's an extra element for the server as well.

"When I took it to the till I had a little laugh with the lady. She said there wouldn't be any left on the shelves if they weren't in those boxes. I guess there's been salmon stealers. It has honestly put me off buying salmon if it's in a box."

The performer admitted she was surprised the salmon was locked away when there were more expensive items for sale.

Roisin said: "Salmon has gotten so much more expensive. I know everything has. It just feels crazy. It is very hard to do a little shop now. I know it's not just me or this area.

"I didn't notice any other stuff in those boxes. There's definitely more expensive things closer to the door. I wouldn't have thought that was the highest stolen thing. I'm in that shop quite a lot and I haven't seen any blatant shoplifters.

"The salmon is also really round a corner. It's not right by the door for you to grab and go. I feel like if someone could steal the salmon not in that box, they could probably steal it in the box.

"If someone has to steal to survive then who am I to make a judgement call. But I'm not sure anyone's stealing salmon to survive."

Many users in the comments agreed locking away salmon in a security box is a bit extreme. One user said: "thing I want in security box? Um no I don't want that anymore." Another user said: "Ridiculous isn't it."

A third user said: "What's the point of the detector things at the front doors then. Other users pointed out that it is necessary to prevent shoplifters. One user said: "Blame the shoplifters not the supermarkets." Another user said: "People steal it and shops have to report it."

Tesco were contacted for comment.