Sales of shredders rocket

SALES of the quintessentially English kitchen appliance, the toaster, have been eclipsed for the first time, according to figures from Tesco.

But the humble toaster has not fallen victim to trendy TV chefs and their frantic attempts to overhaul our early morning diets.

Instead, publicity about identity theft - a credit card fraud reckoned to be the fastestgrowing crime in the country --has prompted huge demand for document shredders.

Over the past six months, sales have shot up by 25 per cent and Tesco - a barometer of the High Street now that it accounts for £1 in every £8 we spend - is shifting 10,000 shredders a month.

Identity thieves made off with £1.3bn last year. The crooks use personal details to apply for credit or use stolen card numbers to order goods over the internet or by phone.

Shredder sales may have been boosted by adverts for Capital One credit cards, which offer fraud protection. Matthew Finch, Tesco's electrical buyer, said: 'The advertising campaign, featuring TV impressionist Alistair McGowan, highlights that it is not just online fraud that is a problem.

'People now know there is also a growing problem of criminals rummaging through rubbish bins to steal personal documents such as bank statements or receipts.'

But though McGowan plays a conman who impersonates householders, he himself came a cropper when tabloid newspaper reporters went through his own bins and found personal financial details and correspondence relating to Equity, the actors' union.

Speaking after the story broke, McGowan said: 'I will certainly make sure I throw things away properly next time.'