MORE than half of adults hide snacks around their home to keep them out of sight of those they live with, research has found.
A poll of 2,000 people found 51 per cent reckon theirs would be at ‘serious risk’ of disappearance if left in a communal area.
Of the 56 per cent who have ever hidden a treat, the underwear drawer, inside a cereal box and in the pocket of a coat, are amongst the most popular hiding spots.
However, 77 per cent have been ‘found out’, when trying to keep their snacks hidden.
The research was commissioned by Walkers snacks, who teamed up with TV personality Harry Clark, to delve into the extreme lengths taken to keep snacks across the UK safe and encourage adults to be more mischievous.
When speaking to members of the public, one confessed they hide them in their sock drawer, while another confirmed they keep theirs on top of the fridge.
The debate even spread to social media this week with one Instagram user declaring they hide theirs in the spare wheel in the boot of their car – and another stating ‘In the washing machine. No one ever puts anything in there in my house‘.
Harry admitted that he duct tapes his Wotsits to the bottom of the sofa, so that he can enjoy them all without his partner knowing.
Speaking in partnership with the snack brand, Harry said: “I am well versed in the art of mischief and my skills have been well-honed through a lifetime of hiding snacks.
“And the research has shown I’m in good company with people finding a range of creative places to keep theirs safe, so they don’t have to share.
“I’ve picked up some new tips and tricks – hiding them amongst the coats?! Even I hadn’t thought of that.”
When it comes to adults who cohabit, partners or spouses were crowned the biggest culprits of tucking into someone else’s snacks when the coast is clear.
In fact, 65 per cent of those who hide them have had their secret spot raided by someone they live with.
The research also shined a spotlight on snack-hiding habits across generations, with millennials being the most likely to go looking for other people’s snacks hidden around the home (42 per cent).
Those 65 and over are least up for sharing – as a third (29 per cent) prefer to tuck into theirs solo.
Gen Z were most opposed to keeping their favourites in the kitchen cupboard with over a third (36 per cent) fearing that someone else might eat them.
Each region also had its own snack hiding tactics – those sharing a home in London were the least successful in hiding theirs with 88 per cent having been discovered at some point.
On the flip side, the East Midlands are the most confident that their housemates are not wise to their snack hiding (42 per cent).
People from Northern Ireland were the most notorious thieves with 43 per cent admitting they have found and eaten someone else’s in the past, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Phoebe Chapman, from Walkers, which has released its ‘Where do you hide yours?’ TV ad, added: “We are a nation of snack lovers, but there are some that are too delicious to share.
“We have loved exploring the extreme measures people take to enjoy their most irresistible snacks all to themselves.
“Our new ad brings these mischievous habits to life, encouraging adults to get creative with their hiding spots.”
