Food theft has skyrocketed in the UK in recent weeks, fueled by soaring inflation (11.1 percent in October) that has pushed one in five Britons into poverty.
In stores, cuts of meat now have to be guarded as luxury items. “Bacon, sausages, cheeses – this is the most sensitive department, it is he who becomes the main target. Incidents happen every day, last week we caught a thief with a full suitcase of products. But even such volumes do not bother the police,” says Paul Chima, the owner of the supermarket in Coventry.
Over the past year, prices in the country for basic products such as milk, cheese and eggs have risen by more than 30 percent.
People who find themselves without a livelihood line up outside the food aid center. Among them there are workers who can no longer make ends meet.
“The prices in supermarkets are outrageous, they make me sick. People like us, who have nothing, we can’t live like that. That’s why people have to steal,” said one of the workers.
“I used to buy milk for 1 pound, but now it costs 1 pound 80 pence, so it’s hard,” the man said.
“All my money goes to food. Nothing else – just bills and food,” complains a woman in line.
This situation is observed in other British cities. In Blackpool, the charity canteen works tirelessly to feed dozens of people every evening. The owner of the establishment came to the shocking realization that working more was not enough to make a living.
“There are full-time people who come here for extra food. We fail in this country in every way. What happens here if we can’t even take care of our people?” – said Mark Butcher, owner of the Amazing Grace dining room.
Experts estimate that half a million children in the UK will need food assistance in the coming months. Winter is coming and for many Britons it could be one of the harshest in decades.