KitKat truck flanked by security vans after 400,000 bars were stolen in Italy

Nestlé appears to have ramped up security around KitKat lorries after 12 tonnes of chocolate was stolen in Europe ahead of Easter.

A red and white truck was filmed surrounded by security vehicles as it travelled down a highway in Toronto,Canada.

The food manufacturing giant announced last month that more than 400,000 bars of chocolate had been intercepted by thieves after leaving its factory in Perugia,central Italy.

The bars were bound for several locations around Europe,with the delivery set to culminate in Poland.

However,the Formula One-themed bars were snatched before they could be dropped off at stores,with the firm urging customers and retailers to remain vigilant for stolen batches.

Instead of a world leader arriving on a high-security visit,it was a KitKat’s apparent publicity stunt off the back of chocolate theft (Picture: KitKat Canada)

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Jumping in on the action on Instagram,KitKat Canada quipped: ‘At least this shipment’s safe…’The clip showed one of brand’s distinctive lorries flanked with black vans on each side as well as ahead and behind it,with a driver of one security vehicle shown wearing dark sunglasses and talking into a radio.It was captioned with the line: ‘When the chocolate’s THIS good,you’ve got to call back up.’The video was released after Nestlé put out a humorous advert for ‘professional’ security guards,with the confectioner saying it was not ‘taking any more chances’.It said: ‘We’re seeking professional security guards with big break energy tojoin our team!’The advert adds that candidates must have ‘extensive’ experience in guarding ‘high-value,high-profile assets’.KitKat have also said they are looking to hire security guards to help protect ‘high-value,high-profile’ assets (Picture: Shutterstock)And,in another clever pun,they must have share a passion for both ‘taking breaks’ and ‘preventing break-ins’.‘Precious cargo needs protecting’,the notice finishes.The stolen lorry remains untraced,as Nestlé says it continues to work with local authorities and suppliers to track the missing shipment.Shops and treat lovers can use the unique batch code on their bar to see if it was bought on the black market.A ‘stolen KitKat tracker’ has been set up online for consumers and retailers to check their treat’s origins.The Swiss-based confectionery giant praised the thieves’ ‘exceptional taste’ but,on a more serious note,called on governments to do more to tackle retail fraud.Nestlé has set up an online stolen KitKat tracker for shoppers to check their bars (Picture: stolen KitKat Tracker)It said in a statement following the theft: ‘We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KITKAT – but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.‘Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste,the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of all sizes.‘With more sophisticated schemes being deployed on a regular basis,we have chosen to go public with our own experience in the hope that it raises awareness of an increasingly common criminal trend.’Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .