Greggs has scrapped front of store food and drink fridges in a drastic new measure to tackle shoplifting.
Customers at the popular bakery chain can usually grab a range of bottled soft drinks, sandwiches and other food items from the shelves themselves.
But several branches around the UK have now been fitted with a so-called theft-proof counter, with all products stored behind it, out of reach of diners.
The company's shop in West Croydon, south London, is among those which have been renovated and has now reopened its doors to customers in recent days.
Stores in nearby Croydon and Peckham, Whitechapel and Upton Park in east London, Birmingham, and Wilford, Nottinghamshire, have also all been transformed.
The pilot scheme will be expanded across its some 2,735 branches across the country if it helps slash crime, tackle violent against staff and protect customers.
One customer at the West Croydon branch said the only items that could be taken without paying now are sugar, napkins and coffee stirrers.
'It's a bit grim but they've clearly had enough of shoplifters,' they told The Sun.
Customers at the popular bakery chain can usually grab a range of bottled soft drinks, sandwiches and other food items from the shelves themselves (File image)
Several branches around the UK have now been fitted with a so-called theft-proof counter, with all products stored behind it, out of reach of diners (File image)
A worker at the store said they have previously had boiling hot tea thrown in their face - while a security guard was once targeted by a thief with a belt.
Another employee explained: 'The branch has struggled because of all the homeless outside taking drugs and drinking alcohol who come in and help themselves.'
A worker at the shop in Peckham, meanwhile, admitted the redesign, which sees staff hand out all products, 'does make life easier'.
The move comes amid fears of a shoplifting epidemic across Britain, with offences reported to police in England and Wales more than doubling in five years.
Total thefts rose by 133 per cent from 228,128 in 2020/21 to 530,457 in 2024/25, according to House of Commons Library data analysed by the Liberal Democrats.
But just 19.8 per cent of offences in 2024/25 resulted in a charge being made - with the worst rate coming from the Metropolitan Police, which was only 6.5 per cent.
Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson, its home affairs spokesperson, said: 'Our communities deserve better than the surge of shoplifting that's ransacking our local high streets.
'For years, the Conservatives quietly dismantled community policing and this Labour Government has failed to properly restore it.
'Retail workers have in too many cases been left to fend for themselves as hundreds of thousands of shoplifters get away scot-free.'
Greggs has suffered more than its fair share of attacks in recent times, with one especially prolific shoplifter stealing close to £20,000 worth of items from the bakery.
Adam Gosling, 39, who staff nicknamed 'Hamster', targeted a store in Greenford, west London, some 38 times between December 30, 2025, and February 10.
The value of the thefts ranged from £12.30 to £100 per visit and on some days, the homeless man would target the branch multiple times.
Greggs has suffered more than its fair share of attacks in recent months, with one especially prolific shoplifter (pictured) stealing close to £20,000 worth of items from the bakery
Adam Gosling (pictured), 39, who staff nicknamed 'Hamster', targeted a store in Greenford, west London, some 38 times between December 30, 2025, and February 10
Gosling (pictured) pleaded guilty to 38 counts of theft from a shop - but was spared jail after he was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for one year
Just a week later, a brave security guard was brutally attacked (pictured) at another Greggs store in London by a thug who had attempted to shoplift
Prosecutors told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in February that Gosling's theft spree amounted to £1,817.50.
Footage released by the store shows the hooded man ransacking the self-serve fridges as he sweeps countless Lucozade energy drinks into a bag.
In another clip, he returns with a mask on and proceeds to shamelessly stash multiple orange juice bottles in a Co-op bag in front of helpless employees.
The thief is later spotted by a staff member who appears to walk over to him - but Gosling simply walks past and exits the shop, leaving the fridge door open.
He was eventually arrested on February 10 after the CCTV footage was shown to police.
Gosling pleaded guilty to 38 counts of theft from a shop - but was spared jail after he was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.
Just a week later, a brave security guard was viciously attacked at another Greggs store in London by an attempted shoplifter.
The thief repeatedly kicked and punched the bouncer while one of his friends brazenly dashed off with a food item from the Croydon shop.
Elsewhere, the chain's flagship Leicester Square store has been forced to hire a former serviceman as a security guard to protect their pastries.
Greggs staff have even started to wear body cameras, which can record for up to 90 minutes, in some of their busiest stores.
The scheme has been rolled out in hopes it will deter thieves following the concerning rise in thefts and attacks on staff.
Greggs has been contacted for comment.