Now kids’ back to school supplies are being slapped with anti-theft security tags at WHSmith in shoplifting crackdown

WHSMITH bosses have been forced to security tag back-to-school supplies after being hit with an epidemic of thefts by light-fingered parents.

It seems even kids have been lifting essentials such as pencil cases and compass sets for the new term and pocketing cash from mums and dads.

The nation’s stationer has put tags and stickers on maths sets costing just £3.99, as well as £4.99 calculators, and £9.99 pencil cases by trendy brand Hype.

Packets of felt pens at £4.99 and £10 colouring pencil sets are also tagged and will trigger alarms if stolen.

Lunchboxes, reusable cups and £15 backpacks are also protected from thieves.

The high street giant is taking drastic measures, with even the cheapest school supplies now being protected by security tags.

Pencil cases, maths sets, and calculators have all been targeted by light-fingered parents—and even kids—looking to save a few quid as the cost-of-living crisis bites.

The tags, which are usually reserved for pricier items, can now be found on everything from £3.99 maths sets to £15 backpacks in WHSmith stores across the country.

One employee at a Doncaster branch told The Sun: “It’s come to something when we’re tagging back-to-school gear.

“People were just helping themselves, so we had no choice.”

Shockingly, it’s not just cash-strapped parents getting in on the action.

The shop worker continued: “We’ve even had kids nicking supplies for school and keeping the cash they’d been given to buy them. It’s so sad to see.”

The move to tag back-to-school gear highlights the growing problem of shoplifting in the UK, with many retailers struggling to keep up with the rise in theft.

Retail analysts have pointed to the cost-of-living crisis as a driving factor, with essentials like school supplies now seen as easy targets.

Graham Wynn, of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Stealing is not a victimless crime.

“The £1.8billion a year lost to shop theft would be better spent investing in lower prices and better service for customers.

“Retailers are forced to spend a further £1.2billion a year on anti-crime ­measures such as CCTV, security personnel, and anti-theft devices.”

With the start of the school year just around the corner, it remains to be seen whether WHSmith’s crackdown will curb theft.

The company is already in troubled waters – shutting down many of it’s stores.

In June 2023, it confirmed it would not be opening any more high street branches in a blow for shoppers.

A WHSmith spokesperson said: “The retail sector is facing increased levels of crime and, like many businesses, we are taking action to ensure our stores remain welcoming places for our colleagues and customers.

Full list of WHSmith closures since 2023

full list of stores and their closure dates:

• Crewe, Cheshire – March, 2023
• Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire – March, 2023
• Bicester, Oxfordshire – August, 2023
• Manchester – December 2, 2023
• Alfreton, Derbyshire – January, 2024
• Ramsgate, Kent – January, 2024
• Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland – February, 2024
• Nantwich, South Cheshire – February, 2024
• Margate, Kent – April 20, 2024

“As a high street destination for back to school products, this includes placing security tags on some items from this year’s range, and we continue to offer a leading range of school and student supplies for our customers.”

Meanwhile, it’s not just stationers that are having to tighten their security measures.

One of Tesco’s London chain stores was caught locking away tinned meat in anti-theft boxes.

The tagged cases could only be disarmed by staff when buyers reached the checkout.

It came as Spam, the meaty wartime favourite’s, average price hit £3.36.

Spam was long considered a cheap source of protein.

Shoppers took to social media to complain, with one user fuming: “I realise products have risen in cost but Spam is far too high.”

Elsewhere, it’s not just theft retailers have to worry about these days.

Oxford street workers revealed how “it used to be glam but now it’s hell”.

The retail space now faces increasing crime rates, leaving workers to deal with the likes of “ looters carrying machetes “.

It’s no wonder why stores are having to increase security measures.