In the second incident of its kind during the last two weeks, a group of about 20 people walked into two supermarkets in the central Athens district of Aghios Panteleimonas, stole food and then distributed it at an open-air fruit and vegetable market.

Police said that the youths entered the Dia and Veropoulos supermarkets pretending to be regular customers. They gathered various food items and walked out without paying. The suspects disappeared after leaving their loot at the market.

There was a similar incident at a supermarket in Exarchia, central Athens, earlier this month. The looters also gave away food to people at an open-air market then.

Although not claimed by any group, the acts are seen as protests at high prices by self-styled anarchists.