A BAKERY has pledged to take “urgent action” to put an end to thefts outside its Canvey store.

Night-vision CCTV cameras could be introduced at the Greggs store, in Furtherwick Road, as part a series of security improvements after a spate of thefts in which outdated bread was stolen from its bins and resold to the public.

Greggs also said it was looking to replace and reinforce locks on bins and work with local charities to ensure any edible unsold products go to helping those in need.

A Greggs’ spokesman said: “We’ve suffered repeatedly from the theft of unsold products from commercial waste bins at the rear of this shop, despite the fact we have continually replaced and reinforced the locks.

“We are now taking urgent action on a number of fronts to resolve the problem.

“This includes increasing further the security of the bins and bin locks, night vision CCTV and setting up links with local charities to ensure unsold edible products go to a good cause.”

The Echo told earlier this week how bread had been stolen before being dumped in the water at Canvey lake, in Denham Road.

There were fears the bread had been contaminated and posed a risk to wildlife.

But this was later found not to be the case.

The spokesman added: “We would never deliberately contaminate our waste products.

“But it is likely the bin bags which have been stolen also contain the cleaning products we use every day to ensure high hygiene levels in our shops.

“This may have led the thieves to throw them away.

“We are liaising with police and other public authorities and we have taken on the responsibility for recovering the abandoned bin bags.

“We would never knowingly allow the contamination of the local environment and are determined to resolve these issues.”

Canvey Town Council, which is responsible for the lake, confirmed last week that no wildlife had been harmed as a result of the dumped bread.