Shop puts olive oil behind security lock after spate of thefts

Bizarrely, shoppers at the Co-op on Sprowston Road in Norwich, Norfolk, can only get oil bottles once they notify a staff member, who then has to fetch a bottle from the security area.

Just like you would a fine bottle of Pinot.

Reported retail thefts have risen by 27 per cent across ten of the UK's largest cities - and were up by 68 per cent in some - according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

A spokesperson for Co-op said: "Protecting the safety of our colleagues is a priority and we know shoplifting can be a flashpoint for violence against shop workers.

"So, whilst this is not a nationwide policy, a decision to implement product security measures at a local level will be made, if a store is experiencing a particular issue."

Matt Hood, Co-op Food managing director, also said some situations have escalated to extreme lengths, frightening many retail workers.

"We have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened,” he revealed.

Uplifting refers to putting an expensive item through but scanning it as a cheaper product with the same weight.

Thirty-eight per cent of surveyed participants admitted to indulging in the five-finger discount, while 71 per cent said it was due to the cost of living crisis.

The average price of goods being stolen was £41 (AUD $78.10) - amounting to almost £820 million (AUD $1.5 billion), according to CouponBirds.

Natalie Warb, financial expert at CouponBirds, said addressing this growing issue is imperative.

“It's important to acknowledge that 'uplifting' may go by a different name, but it remains theft or shoplifting and should be unequivocally discouraged,” she said.

"If you're facing hardship, remember that stealing is never the solution. Local resources like food banks, shelters and vouchers are available to provide support during these tough times."