Protein bars and cereal bars have been placed in security boxes on the shelves of a supermarket in Durham.

A man from Sherburn Hill entered Tesco Extra on Dragons Lane in Gilesgate, County Durham, on Boxing Day and was shocked to see such low-priced items locked away.

Myprotein bars and Dynabars were among the snacks in security boxes.

The various sweet snacks intended for a protein hit after exercise were labelled as between £1 and £2.50, leading to confusion over why these low-ticket items were ‘under lock and key.’

The Northern Echo: Protein bars in security boxes in Tesco ExtraProtein bars in security boxes in Tesco Extra (Image: Andrei Lespezeanu)

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Andrei Lespezeanu told The Northern Echo: “I was shocked when browsing through the store to come across cereal/protein bars worth as little as £1 locked in security boxes.

“I am confused why the store has felt the need to do this since there are other items in the store worth more that don't have security tags or boxes. The only explanation for this that I can come up with is that people are prone to stealing these cereal/protein bars.

“I think this is one of the many examples of how the cost of living crisis is affecting not only people but business too!”

The Northern Echo understands that where necessary, some higher-value items may have security protection in individual Tesco stores.

The Northern Echo: Prices of protein bar ranged from £1 to £2.50Prices of protein bar ranged from £1 to £2.50 (Image: Andrei Lespezeanu)

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We understand further it is not new or a universal Tesco policy and that all supermarkets use security protection, but that individual shops can choose to use security tags/boxes for goods.

Other Tesco stores across the UK have reportedly implemented this security measure for protein bars in recent times.

The Middleton and Blackley branches of Tesco, in Greater Manchester in August this year, had protein bars locked away, as reported in the Manchester Evening News.

This also occurred at Kingsway West Retail Park in Dundee in May 2019, as reported in The Courier.

Other low-priced items in security boxes on sale at these branches across the UK included £3 false eyelashes, headlice treatment shampoo, and a £5 anti-wrinkle cream.

The Northern Echo approached The British Retail Consortium for comment.

The Northern Echo: Tesco has said that higher value items have security protection, however, these bars ranged in price from £1 to £2.50Tesco has said that higher value items have security protection, however, these bars ranged in price from £1 to £2.50 (Image: Andrei Lespezeanu)

The Northern Echo: A lot of drinks and snacks aimed at gym-goers were in security boxes A lot of drinks and snacks aimed at gym-goers were in security boxes (Image: Andrei Lespezeanu)

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