Times are tough for many families in Italy with the financial crisis affecting seriously what was an already declining economy. One indicator of an increasing difficulty for families to make do with the monthly salaries is that the number of small food-related items stolen in supermarkets has grown by 16.8%.

A survey called "The International Barometer of theft in the retail sector" reveals, this - and it also reveals that the items most likely to be stolen are Parmigiano and Grana cheese - while there is also an increase in salami, wines and meat theft.

Overall the cost amounts to 2.9 billion euros - an increase compared to last year of 4.1% . High quality cheese is the most common item with 8.6% - almost 1 in 10 Parmigiano leaving a supermarket is actually stolen.