Chocolate Locked Up: Thieves Steal Bars to Order

Retailers are now resorting to locking chocolate bars in security boxes, a measure previously reserved for items like alcohol and high-value goods. This response comes as thieves increasingly target chocolate, often stealing it to order for resale on illicit markets.

The Heart of England Co-Op group reported that chocolate theft cost them £250,000 in 2024, making it their most stolen product. This highlights a significant shift, as confectionery is now a prime target for organised crime, alongside other previously affected items like razors, cheese, and coffee.

This surge in theft occurs as chocolate prices have risen sharply. The Office for National Statistics indicated a price increase of over 17% in the year leading up to October 2025. Consequently, a 180g bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk now costs approximately £2.75, and a similar Galaxy bar is around £3.00.

Incidents of large-scale chocolate theft have been reported nationwide. A serial thief in Swindon received a 16-month sentence for stealing a display stand of chocolate worth £75 on Christmas Day. In another case, a prolific offender in the West Midlands was jailed for over five years for repeatedly stealing from the same store.

Retailers are investing heavily in security, with one group spending £3 million on measures to combat theft. Some shopkeepers have reduced their chocolate stock on display and use advanced CCTV and AI technology to deter and identify thieves. The Association of Convenience Stores is calling for increased police support and tougher sentences for criminals involved in re-selling stolen goods.