A councillor said he was “shocked” to see steaks in security boxes at a Blackburn supermarket, and says it is a reflection of the current economic climate.

Scott Brerton, councillor for the Overton ward on Hyndburn Council, took a picture of the £6.50 rump steaks, locked away in security boxes at The Food Warehouse by Iceland at The Peel Centre, on Whitebirk Drive.

The aim of the security-sealed boxes is to deter thieves from stealing them.

Lancashire Telegraph: Steaks at at The Food Warehouse by Iceland, in Blackburn, in security boxesSteaks at at The Food Warehouse by Iceland, in Blackburn, in security boxes (Image: Scott Brerton)

While Cllr Brerton does not condone theft he says the security boxes are a “sad illustration” of the poverty that is prevalent in the country.

The Labour man said: “I was really shocked to see food on the shelves locked away in security boxes.

“As a councillor, I hear stories from people all the time about how they are struggling with the cost of living crisis and they feel the government have turned their back on them. One elderly lady told me ‘I can’t afford to live’.

"Whilst I would never condone theft in any circumstance, I think it’s a sad reflection of how life has become that some people feel so desperate they need to steal food just to survive."

This is not the first time Iceland, and other leading supermarkets, has made headlines for putting food in security boxes.

Supermarkets have been known to put lamb, cheese and other items in security boxes, while bottles of spirits also have security locks in place.

According to a survey released in March, one in 10 younger adults admitted to stealing items at supermarket self-checkouts over the last year as food prices soared.

One in 25 adults overall said they have intentionally skipped or incorrectly scanned items at the checkout amid record food and drink inflation.

The most recent Office for National Statistics figures show a 19.1 per cent rise in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages since March last year.

One in five adults have sought financial support to try to handle rising grocery costs, a poll for money-saving app ZipZero found.

Eight per cent of people surveyed have used their overdraft or a credit card to pay for food and six per cent reported having to borrow money from friends or family to cover essential purchases.

Five per cent of adults have started using food banks, the survey suggests.

ZipZero chief executive Mohsin Rashid said: “The rising price of food is massively destabilising household finances.

"With one in five adults seeking financial support, and double this number for young adults, there can be no doubt that food inflation is raising poverty levels in the country.

“The resilience and tenacity of Britons have been remarkable, with many finding new savvy ways to cut spending. But we are running out of room to manoeuvre.

“With a staggering number of adults actively turning to petty theft and food banks to reduce costs, food inflation is changing social norms and redefining life standards in the UK.

“Sector-wide intervention, akin to the Energy Support Scheme, is needed to prevent this crisis from spiralling further.”