Why are customers stealing this takeaway store's salt? | A Current Affair

Well it is the great chicken salt swindle and Jeff and Kim have had enough.They run a fish and chip takeaway where customers are taking more than just their battered fish.

Now you see it, now you don't.

They hide it, they look for the cameras, they're hiding it and then they just pocket it straight away.

And this daylight robbery is no fly -by -night chicken salt swindle.

It's been going on for years.

Too chicken to ask, these customers swoop in and swipe the salt.And they just walk off with them.And everyone's in on the act.Anthony's Seafood on the New South Wales central coast prides itself on selling classic Aussie takeaway.It's a family affair and there's no extra cost for sauce or salt here.It's on every table to use as much as you'd like to season within reason.

Owners Jeff and Kim and their son Max are salt of the earth but clucking cranky about how often their shakers are being spirited away.

What would you say to those people that think it's okay to steal the chicken salt?

Just come and talk to us.We'll give you some more.You know, don't need to steal it.

Even the customers are baffled.

The world has had it.It's finished.Very un -Australian.Why would you steal the chicken salt?It's there for free to take anyway, so just use it.

It may seem a paltry crime, but this pinch of salt happens so frequently, Jeff and Kim have started their own CSI.That's Chicken Salt Investigation.

We put them in about a year ago, and it's just a... bit of fun with the locals.

I mean you're getting a good response on social media aren't you?

Yeah the last one got 1 .4 million views so it did pretty good.

And would -be salt swipers are given freewarning that they're being monitored.I mean this chicken salt literally says on it, you are under surveillance, don't take it.Smile, you're on chicken salt cam.

Exactly, none of them smile.They all do it in secret.

Foul behaviour.

It definitely is.It's an assault on society.

The cameras didn't deter this couple.A look left and right, with sunglasses on, incognito mode was on, before swiping the renowned chicken salt.This group clearly didn't read the rules, adding the entire container to their takeaway bag.Or this group, who hatched a plan to go table to table, topping up the salt container, just to make sure they could swipe a full one.Kim says she's heard every excuse under the sun.

Have you ever had anyone be caught out, come back and apologise?I've had somebody write a letter and apologise.They didn't bring it back, but they apologised for taking it.Otherwise, we never see them again.You had one person, I believe, that tried to blame their twin brother?

Yes, correct.Everyone's obsessed with the chicken salt.

We also had an instance where a cockatoo was playing with the plain salt.Drop that, grab the chicken salt and flew off.A chicken -lickin' cockatoo?

Now there's a jailbird in the making.Your chicken salt is that good.

It's irresistible.I do find it funny when people will ring the shop to dob in those people that they see in the video.We're not gonna come after you, but just do the right thing.

The vellas can see the funny side, but say, fair suck of the sauce bottle, leave the salt alone.

Come on, guys, it's un -Australian to steal chicken salt.We can even sell some to you.

And Pipa has confirmed it is irresistible.But come on guys, if you want it, pay for it.