There were more than two hundred thousand incidents of food theft in the UK in the last three years, according to data compiled by 5live. The true figure is likely to be much higher, as not all police forces we asked responded to our Freedom of Information request. There's some evidence that stolen food is then being sold on the black market.

Michael Nixon, chief executive of Newcastle West End Food Bank, said: 鈥淲e hear on the grapevine that there is a black market in food and people who are in desperate straits will do anything to get what they need.鈥�

The Food and Drink Federation told us "UK consumers have access to perhaps the safest food in the world and all elements of food production, food manufacturing and regulation must work together to protect consumers and reputable businesses from food fraud, in the context of global supply chains."

When asked why people are being driven to food theft, Michael said: 鈥淕enerally speaking, the lower your income the more you are affected by the benefit system and result of Brexit. These things combine to make life difficult for those close to the edge.鈥�

This clip was originally from 5 live Breakfast on Thursday 22nd December 2016.

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