American Store Locks Spam In Security Box To Prevent People Stealing The Precious Item

A store in America has decided to padlock spam containers to prevent people from stealing the precious item.

While retailers around the world have opted to install extra security measures for certain products, you'd probably never think of doing it for the iconic canned cooked pork.

However, a Duane Reade store inside the Port Authority bus depot in New York City has done just that.

A shopper witnessed the can sitting inside a clear, plastic lock device and was blown away that such a measure would be used for the food.

The thoroughly revamped loss-prevention regime at the Port Authority Duane Reade has finally created something of beauty, a sort of Jeff Koons homage. pic.twitter.com/gtlpzY2l9G

— willy 🌜💧 (@willystaley) July 28, 2022

The Daily Mail says the area is a 'mecca for vagrants' and the security lock box was probably introduced because 'they're a popular target for thieves'.

Since the original post on social media went viral, people have revealed that other weird food items like tuna and ice cream had anti-theft lock devices on them.

One shopper told Fox News: "Some of these things are pretty ridiculous."

A store clerk added: "I don’t think they stop anything. It’s security theatre. If you really needed it, you would stomp on it." 

But this isn't something that is contained to one small store in New York City.

I'd love to have one to keep, case and all — but there's only one way to do that... pic.twitter.com/PX3dbSd52B

— willy 🌜💧 (@willystaley) July 28, 2022

Across the pond, British shoppers have posted images of items such as cheese, butter, chicken and lamb chops with extra anti-theft measures.

Customers have spoken out about the items seemingly being slapped with orange security-protected stickers or even with a security tag tied securely on top.

One shared a photograph of some skinless and boneless chicken thigh fillets from Tesco. "An indictment of the UK under #BorisJohnson & his #ToryCostOfLivingCrisis. My local supermarket has started security tagging foodstuffs like this. #BrexitReality," the caption reads.

Another customer shared a picture of their coffee. "The #CostOfLivingCrisis is real. My local supermarket is now security tagging everyday items, presumably because their price has increased so much. This isn’t chateauneuf du pape, this is instant coffee!" they said.

If you think Lurpak is bad - the local Aldi and Coop have started security tagging food. There was a GPS protected tag on a pack of lamb chops as well... #ThisMorning #CostOfLivingCrisis pic.twitter.com/ajUSNsZIeE

— Tam (@Celeste_Tam42) July 5, 2022

A third shopper revealed their shock at returning to the shops after a holiday. "Lucky for me I rarely go to supermarket Tesco, back from holiday so went today. How long have we been security tagging meat!" they tweeted.

Despite many customers' linking of the security tagging to the cost of living crisis, a spokesperson for Co-op told LADbible such measures have, in fact, been in place for 'several years to deter crime'.

The spokesperson confirmed: "Co-op has been involved in a small scale trial of new packaging for higher value products such as meat for several years, with the additional security providing a further deterrent if a store locally experiences shoplifting issues.

"The move formed part of our Safer Colleagues campaign which has also succeeded in bringing in stricter sentences for violent incidents against shopworkers."