Co-op is extending a trial of dummy display packaging, designed to deter theft of certain products and decrease the amount of bulk shoplifting in its stores.

The retailer said the empty packaging will be used for high value products on shelves which are frequently targeted by criminals for re-sale in stores where there is a local issue.

These products include coffee, chocolates and laundry gels. Shoppers take the dummy display case to tills where it is exchanged for the actual product.

The convenience retailer has previously used the anti-theft packaging in a limited number of stores and said it expects these to become more familiar in retailing.

The company said it has seen record levels of crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour with almost 1,000 incidents each day in the six months to June 2023, which is a 35 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Kate Graham, director of operations at Co-op, said: "It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and often a flashpoint for attacks and abuse towards our colleagues. Co-op continues to invest significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe. This includes extending our use of dummy display cases to deter the incidents of ‘bulk-shoplifting’ or, ‘looting’, as it has been described, where criminals sweep products off shelves for re-sale.”

She added: "While we are doing all we can, we also need the police to play their part as too often, Forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams and criminals operate in communities without any fear of consequences.”

Earlier this year, Co-op said that some parts of the UK could become “no-go areas” due to the rising levels of crime.

Other retailers have taken measures to deter theft in stores.

At John Lewis, staff have been given “de-escalation training”, which is used to identify when an interaction could become violent and some employees are also wearing bodycams.

Meanwhile, in some Aldi stores, staff have reportedly been checking customer shopping bags for stolen items.

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