Worthing Co-op customer can't get his favourite joint due to 'spate of meat thefts'

A loyal customer of a Co-op branch in Worthing said he could not buy a joint for his dinner due to a spate of meat thefts.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

On August 13, Keir Hartley went to the Co-op branch in Goring Road hoping to purchase a tender leg of lamb or a succulent beef roast to cook for his dinner.

Beef mince lined the shelves, and there were chicken breasts a plenty - but sadly, a joint of meat was nowhere to be seen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 62-year-old from Courtlands Close, Goring, had a bone to pick with the staff - so he raised his beef with them. He said: "I asked where the joints of meat were, and a gentleman said they don't stock them anymore because of shoplifters.

A customer of the Co-op store in Goring wanted to raise awareness of the issue of meat thefts after missing out on a joint for his tea. Picture: GoogleA customer of the Co-op store in Goring wanted to raise awareness of the issue of meat thefts after missing out on a joint for his tea. Picture: Google
A customer of the Co-op store in Goring wanted to raise awareness of the issue of meat thefts after missing out on a joint for his tea. Picture: Google

"I was surprised and disappointed. My initial reaction was: 'well, this product isn't going to be available anymore if this is a widespread issue. The law-abiding members of the public can't buy joints of meat anymore'."

A spokesperson for Co-op, said that the Goring store 'did continue to sell premium cuts of meats' but 'as a temporary measure, a local decision was taken to restrict the number of these products on shelf at any time following a spate of crime'.

Keir felt meat thefts were hardly a rare issue. He said: "Reading court reports, it seems meat theft is becoming a problem. I think now it is going from 'chronic' to 'acute'."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Short of police organising a 'steak out' for the shoplifters, Keir felt that the store needed to invest in more security guards and better CCTV systems so that more people were prosecuted for stealing meat.

"It is reducing the consumer's choice," he said.