Aussie supermarkets beef up security after huge rise in theft for this major item
Supermarkets around Australia are increasing their security after a rise in meat theft, which is seeing people stuff prime cuts up their clothes or just walk out of the store with a trolley full.
As meat can cost up to $40 a kilogram in a supermarket and even more at butchers, the rise in theft is proving costly.
Shoplifting meat has seen such an increase that Coles is looking to security tag its meat products as a deterrent for thieves, reported the Daily Telegraph.
In 2011, beef eye fillet would set a customer back an average of $32 per kilo but now the same cut will cost $43 per kilo in supermarkets and even more at butchers.
Last month, a man from Tweed Heads allegedly stole a trolley full of meat from Coles and then went to Woolworths in the same shopping centre and stole more meat.
The value of meat stolen by the man came to an astonishing $1,454.
The 49-year-old was later charged with three counts of shoplifting and will face court next week. Last year, he also allegedly stole $82 worth of deli meats.
Tweed Byron Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Cullen, said most stolen meat was for personal use but others on sold it.
“People steal the smaller quantities for personal use but this type of quantity was beyond that,” he said.
What do you think about the rising cost of meat? Do you regularly buy it in your weekly shop? Tell us in the comments below.