UK stores put security tags on turkeys to stop shoplifters

The stores have taken the drastic action in direct response to a rise in shoplifting of food caused by the squeeze on family budgets.

In the past, stores reserved the tags for high value items such as drink and CDs. However, increasingly, the electronic tags are being put on meat, and the security measure will be extended to turkeys for the first time this year.

Turkeys and turkey crowns can cost well over £30, which means shoplifters can get a good price on the black market.

(...) Several types of tag are used. Initially, stores relied on bright yellow easily identifiable tags, but now more are using smaller versions, including some that are little bigger than a grain of sand.

The tag will set off an alarm if a shopper tries to make a run for it with a turkey under their arm without it being removed or swiped through a check-out scanner.

A survey by the security company G4S suggests the stores have good reason to worry. It found that as many as half a million Britons would go so far as to steal a turkey if they had the chance. One in seven adults admitted being tempted to break the law at Christmas and pinch either food, drink or presents.