Nearly one in five (17%) of British employees admit to stealing toilet rolls and stationery from work and claiming additional expenses in order to safe money in the credit crunch.

According to Norwich Union Life, in the past three months alone, employees have stolen 4.1 million office items, including toilet roll and stationery, and 1.8 million items of food from shared fridges at work.

Just under a third (30%) have also either cut savings or pensions contributions.

More than four out of five (86%) admit they have been forced to turn ‘thrifty' in order to save money. Through these stealth means they hope to save £150 this year.

Brian Bussell of Norwich Union said: "The new ‘stealth savers' have certainly found a few cheeky ways to save a penny or two, but risking your financial future is no laughing matter."