BOOTS has been forced to take baby milk off its shelves after being targeted by shoplifting gangs.
Experts say the thieves have their eye on formula and other “hot products” to sell on to dodgy outlets here or buyers abroad.
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Others want the powder to mix with drugs.
Boots’ store in Purley, South London, has taken products including Aptimil, which costs up to £19 a pack, off its shelves.
Customers have to take paper photocopies to the counter to get their goods.
Emmeline Taylor, professor of criminology at City, University of London said: “Some retailers are creating what I call ‘Fortress Stores’ in some of their hardest hit locations.
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“Their tactics include dummy displays, locked cabinets, and more sophisticated tagging, as well as investing in staff training and more sophisticated guarding.
“Many presume that it is families who are struggling to make ends meet but while the cost-of-living crisis might have contributed to an increase in theft it would be naïve to presume that this is the main issue.”
Last month Boots demanded tougher action to combat shoplifting and violence against shop staff.
Boots said: “To prevent theft, we often use security tags on products or remove items from shelves and replace with empty boxes or cut outs.
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“The decision on which items to protect in this way is made at a store level and is based on what is most at risk of theft in that area.
“In some locations, baby formula is stolen with the intent to resell, so we take steps to protect our stock to ensure it is available for our customers when they need it.”
