Greggs removes self-service shelves to curb shoplifting

Greggs has removed self-service shelves and fridges in some stores to combat shoplifting, with products now kept behind the counter and retrieved by staff. The bakery chain confirmed the move affects a small number of shops exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

According to multiple reports, affected stores include branches in Croydon, Peckham, Whitechapel, Upton Park, Birmingham, and Wilford. A Greggs spokesperson said: "This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a very small number of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour. Customers can expect to see our full range of great value and tasty Greggs favourites available from behind the counter." The company confirmed its full range of products will still be available in affected stores, and that the safety of colleagues and customers is its number one priority.

The move comes as annual shoplifting offences in England and Wales have passed half a million, according to multiple reports. The British Retail Consortium said criminal gangs were systematically targeting shops, with 5.5 million incidents costing £400m. Shop workers faced an average 36 incidents of violence involving a weapon every day last year. Other chains have also taken measures: Pret a Manger and Costa have employed bouncers to guard stock from shoplifters.

In one specific incident, a serial Greggs thief, Adam Gosling, stole almost £2,000 worth of food from a branch in Greenford. He was sentenced to four months suspended for one year. Greggs is also introducing software systems that supply information directly to police stations, according to multiple reports. The number of stores in the trial and when it will be evaluated have not been disclosed.