Strawberry pickers warned to stop 'shoplifting' fruit

Visitors to a pick-your-own strawberry farm have been told to stop eating the fruit in the fields.

The owners of Vale Pick Your Own in Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan, said it was equivalent to shoplifting.

In a Facebook post, the business said they had spotted a "concerning trend on social media of people eating our strawberries before paying".

If customers are caught red-handed, they could be asked to leave.

The family-run business said strawberry thefts were "significantly impacting" profits.

"We understand that it might seem harmless, but consuming strawberries before purchasing is equivalent to taking products without paying in a shop or eating without paying in a café," the owners said in a Facebook post.

They added that they are quickly running out of strawberries and being forced to close early because so many are being eaten in the fields.

Customers were asked to "help us maintain a steady supply", or face the consequences.

"If we see anyone eating strawberries in the fields, we’ll regrettably have to ask you to leave," added the post.