According to SF Gate, the stores, all in the Bay Area, have been targeted by thieves under the nose of security guards and customers. One store in Palo Alto has been robbed twice, the newspaper said.

Apparently Apple tells its security staff not to physically tackle thieves.

The crooks typically storm into the shops wearing hoodies, unplug as many bits of kit that they can, then stow them in a getaway vehicle parked outside and make off with their contraband.

It's estimated that between late August and now, gangs have stolen kit worth over $280,000.

Apple may well have ways of disabling stolen kit, but so far the trendy firm has stayed tight lipped about that. It's tight lipped about most things.

Some might say that the price of Apple kit in its stores is a good example of daylight robbery, but we couldn't possibly comment.