Tesco and WHSmith bosses forced to take drastic step to stop shoplifters nicking £2 advent calendars

STORES are slapping information tags connected advent calendars worthy conscionable £2 — arsenic shoplifters cogwheel up for Christmas.

High thoroughfare giants including WHSmith and Tesco are among those ­fitting anti-theft devices to adjacent inexpensive festive treats.

The Sun connected Sunday spotted the yellowish deterrent stickers connected Bluey advent calendars worthy conscionable £2 and Dairy Milk and Maltesers versions for £2.75.

Entire ranges of toys, games and stationery were tagged successful the aforesaid store.

Boxes of After Eight cocoa mints priced astatine £3.50 person besides been slapped with the anti-pilfering devices.

Last week, we told however Christmas crackers and festive lights were being information tagged.

Shoplifting offences recorded by police successful England and Wales person deed a 20-year high.

There were 469,788 incidents logged successful the twelvemonth to June, a 29 per cent hike connected the erstwhile year.

Martyn James, Sun Squeeze Team subordinate and user champion, said: “It’s incredibly depressing retailers are having to connect information tags to adjacent the cheapest Christmas advent calendars acknowledgment to thieves.”

The British Retail Consortium said £18billion a twelvemonth is mislaid to shoplifters.

WHSmith and Tesco did not respond to requests for comment.