'Significant' rise in booze thefts at Sainsbury's stores
Sainsbury's today said there has been a 'significant' rise in theft of booze from its stores prompting a police crackdown.
Expensive bottles of spirits including brandy have been stolen by thieves from its stores in Stourbridge and Kidderminster.
Police are urging people who are offered cheap bottles of alcohol for sale in the towns to report offenders.
Bosses have been working with police to step up security at the stores, in Sandringham Way, Amblecote, and in Carpet Trades Way, Kidderminster.
Store officials have refused to revealed the cost or quantity of alcohol stolen from the stores but said booze had been swiped in thefts from shelves.
Neighbourhood police say thieves are using 'simple but highly effective' techniques drink but would not elaborate further.
Sgt Lynn Couldrey, from the Amblecote neighbourhood team, said: "Sainsbury's has reported a significant increase in thefts from the store."
She added: "Sainsbury's has increased the hours that its own security officers are on duty in the store.
Sainsbury's spokeswoman Christina Goulding said: "We take theft seriously and we work closely with the local police to prevent it happening.
"Security guards and CCTV in our stores also help to prevent theft."
