Mum shoplifting in Tesco

Admittedly I used to love it when shoplifters came in I worked back shift on the desk and had a front row seat. The security knew who to watch and always approached just as they walked out the beeping doors and it would all go down hill from there. A few times we had to get the police there ASAP due to fights and stuff but most of the time we're people out of it and not even remembering what was going on. I'd be front row with the popcorn xx

I worked on the customer service desk in a supermarket beginning with S. the security more than likely won't do anything. They will probably ban her. Security guards are human and will probably understand tbh. It's more the folk stealing tvs etc they would tend to detain. X

Bless your younger self.

I remember doing the same.

I feel grateful times have changed for me, but feel great empathy for others struggling, it's not bloody easy.

So sad, times are bloody hard for so many. I'm sure she doesn't want to have to steal nappies and calpol.

😪

Those thieves increase prices for everybody.

If gour stealing it it doesn't matter how expensive it is though does it?! Might as well steal the good stuff.

Oh, yes, I agree (with that being the 'hanged for a sheep as a lamb' mindset, not with the actual stealing, of course). I'm just thinking that, if you were really poor that you normally bought cheap stuff, but this time you couldn't even afford to pay for that - it does look suspicious that the expensive item would even be on your radar, and maybe a giveaway that you are indeed a pro stealing to sell on.

It does tend to make a difference as to what the shop managers will do with you.

£1.50 bottle of cider - you'll likely get a ban and nothing else.

£30 bottle of spirit - they're probably going to call the police (who may not turn up, still)

I worked in supermarkets in the 90’s and it happened then. Have you been living under a rock?

If gour stealing it it doesn't matter how expensive it is though does it?! Might as well steal the good stuff.

That’s not true as my sons friends got caught leaving out local Tesco with a bottle of Fanta each when they were 17. The police were called and they were made to donate money to charity and write a letter of apology to the store.

as can calpol, which is ridiculously expensive.

I might be missing the point slightly here, but I find it so hard to imagine somebody genuinely that poor choosing branded Calpol instead of the own-brand near-identical one that's half or a third of the price.

Unless people are just saying 'Calpol' as a shorthand to mean 'or that kind of product' - like calling all vacuum cleaners 'hoovers'?

Retail managers learn very quickly to be cynical about shoplifters’ excuses & sob stories. Particularly those who are carrying the latest iPhone & wearing hundred quid trainers…

I think she will on trial at the old Bailey. Probably a life sentence. Especially for taking calpol.

Shoplifters' number is going to be well and truly up when the Amazon system comes in everywhere. Powerful scanners scan everything you pick up (and presumably 'unscan' if you change your mind and put them back?) and automatically charge your pre-registered card for every one of their items that you walk out of the shop with.

Nappies is probably a professional they can be shifted easily as can calpol, which is ridiculously expensive.

Did he leave the shop? It's not theft until they've left or attempted to leave the building, you can put items in anything you like as long as you don't leave without paying.

It seems a bit suspicious-looking for the sake of it in some circumstances, but I've seen people use their own bags instead of baskets before - then they unload them at the checkout, pay and then repack them.

Some wheelchair users also do this - when they aren't able to carry a separate basket with them.

Several supermarkets had the barrier system at the exit in France recently - you had to scan your receipt to leave the store.
All checkouts were self-service and staff were watching you scan as well as manning the exit barrier

Or down to my local Weatherspoons! 😂😂

Hmm...Calpol and nappies are common items to rob, they sell well in the pubs. The presence of a child and pushchair means nothing - they are frequently used in these situations. Anyone would look embarrassed to be apprehended in a supermarket.

Hungry people steal a small amount of food. I've stolen food myself - I took a bunch of bananas and two baking potatoes from the outside display at a greengrocers 20 years ago when I was unemployed. (I stuck a couple of £ and a letter of apology through the door when my Giro arrived a few days later). I've turned a blind eye when I saw a young man put a pre-packed sandwich under his coat then quickly leave in Sains the other week but I'm willing to bet he wouldn't elicit half as much sympathy.

Might be because I'm from and still live on a council estate but we have local people selling on stuff like this realy cheap. (I think) lovely local mum is our local shoplifters and takes orders. She does well at Xmas.

I feel sorry for her too. Back in 2008 my husband nearly had to steal nappies. We had one nappy and 3 days until we got paid. Luckily he had enough change and nectar points to buy some but I'd never judge someone who felt they had no choice.

Of course she looked embarrassed she got caught stealing, unlucky

Assuming she wasn't a professional, it's awful she felt she had to do it. Prices are rocketing so much and I honestly believe the supermarkets are bumping up prices for the hell of it in some instances I think more and more people might chance it as the CoL really bites, but our local Sainsbury's is piloting a new system where you HAVE to get a receipt at the self-checkout and it has a barcode on it that you need to scan to get out of the closed barrier. So if you try to shoplift or scam the self-service, you've got no chance.

I was in a charity shop last week and there was a mum next to me with her two children looking at soft toys in the basket. As bold as brass she told the eldest, who was about 6, to put one of the teddies underneath the buggy.

She did and they walked out.

From a charity shop ffs.

That's awful, poor woman. Could be anything from debt, uc being suspended or financial abuse from a partner. Police and probably ss will get involved and hopefully she'll get the support she needs.