Chewing-gum theft has become big business for gangs that smuggle the confectionery across Europe to be used as a substitute for cash on the streets of Romania.
Prosecutors in Britain say the bizarre crime wave is now a problem in cities across the country, with thousands of pounds' worth of gum stolen from shops. The Crown Prosecution Service said those caught will face the full force of the law, including jail.
Police believe gangs have identified a soft target in stores, where large amounts of stock are routinely left on shelves. In many cases, thieves simply load boxes of gum into trolleys and walk out. A number of forces claim the gum is sent to Romania, where shops and kiosks give chewing gum to customers instead of change, though Romanian diplomatic sources have played down the idea.
Two Romanian men were jailed last week for thefts worth more than £1000 ($1900). Ciprian Petw received a 24-week sentence for stealing £550 of gum in Norfolk and Taunton. He was picked up by police with a large foiled bag in Asda, Taunton, while out on bail for the Norfolk theft. Meanwhile, Fane Raducanu pleaded guilty to stealing chewing gum worth £430 from the same Asda store. He was given a six-week custodial sentence.
Lincolnshire Police sounded the alarm about an emerging trend in chewing-gum theft after £1000 worth was stolen from an Asda store in Grantham this month. And last month, Constantin Barbu, 31, was jailed for a week after trying to steal gum worth £436 in Worcester. Bogdan-Constantin Panait, 23, was caught in Droitwich trying to steal gum worth £388.
