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Original poster

Robbing from Tesco with impunity *edited by MNHQ*

362 replies

KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 09:14

I just got off a bus outside a Tesco that is a short walk from where I work to buy some yogurt and fruit for breakfast. On the bus there were three horrendous guys - loud, under the influence, scruffy, swearing, F-ing and Jeffing across the aisles at each other. They got off at the same stop - well, burst off the bus laughing - and burst into Tesco. I watched them saunter up to the booze aisle laughing as they went, nick a bottle of spirits each and walk out laughing in front of all the staff (floorwalking).

I challenged one of the members of staff (a big guy who could handle himself) as to if he was going to let them get away with it. He says they come in every morning and help themselves and nobody is allowed to touch or challenge them. They've contacted the police who don't want to know.

I told him "Right, see you then, I'm helping myself to these strawberries and this yogurt, have a nice day!" and he said I was OK to do that!!! Of course I told him I was joking and I paid.

How in hell have we got to this state of affairs in this country? Or my town specifically?

OP posts:
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KimberleyClark · 11/08/2023 09:33

Why can’t they invent a system whereby the exit barriers won’t open if they detect security tags. I’m sure it wouldn’t be difficult.

Peony654 · 11/08/2023 09:33

TeleTropes · 11/08/2023 09:19

Do you expect staff to risk their own well-being to stop a theft from a multinational conglomerate?

Sadly, the police don’t often have the resources to pursue shop theft under £200 and so these people are therefore left to it with all of us paying the higher prices to cover the loss.

It’s a sad state of affairs really.

This. Not sure how you questioning a member of staff will help - they shouldn’t risk their safety.

HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMariaa · 11/08/2023 09:32

This is not new. Retail employees have been instructed thus since the nineties (possibly before, but I can confirm we were being told to leave any shop lifters in the mid nineties)

Oneweektogo2023 · 11/08/2023 09:30

You learn to survive in whatever part of society you live in.

Yolkpoker · 11/08/2023 09:30

Aldi clearly don’t have this policy. Ours has a young woman as a security guard, I’ve seen her race right out of the store and down the street to catch shoplifters. She’s super fit and strong , but I’d be appalled if my adult daughter had to put herself in this kind of situation for aldi wages, i can’t believe it’s expected of her.

Original poster
KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 09:30

Baconking · 11/08/2023 09:29

Interesting that you think a man who you've assumed can handle himself should confront 3 horrendous, under the influence guys.
I'm not sure he would have come out of it well if they'd attacked him, despite his size.

There were other security staff there as well.

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 11/08/2023 09:29

Pinkitydrinkity · 11/08/2023 09:24

But how much would Tesco have to pay if a staff member went off sick after being attacked by these 3 guys?

Show quote history

That’s a different argument.

Advocating for everyone to help themselves to free items for shops is not too many steps away from civil arrest, anarchy and curfews. I’d much rather people stopped acting like then have the right to Anything they fancy and join society.

JudgeAnderson · 11/08/2023 09:29

I don't expect the staff to risk themselves, but the police on the other hand.... still, they have their hands full traumatising autistic teenage girls I suppose.

Baconking · 11/08/2023 09:29

Interesting that you think a man who you've assumed can handle himself should confront 3 horrendous, under the influence guys.
I'm not sure he would have come out of it well if they'd attacked him, despite his size.

Original poster
KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 09:29

dreamingbohemian · 11/08/2023 09:26

Your OP is ridiculous. Nobody thinks it's a human right to steal 🙄Rather Tesco quite rightly do not expect their staff to risk their lives over a couple bottles of booze.

Is there a high rate of crime in the area? Police forces have had to deal with massive cuts under this government. It does seem crazy they won't take care of this but perhaps they have a lot more serious cases to deal with.

It's not ridiculous. It is at least three bottles of booze a day, ie 21 a week from just this set of wasters. Maybe they tell their mates and they rock up for a free party, too.

The alcohol should be kept in a locked cabinet to avoid this. Then the police would have to act if the thieves kicked off about it in the store or attempted criminal damage.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 11/08/2023 09:29

If they're prepared to be so brazen about it I can't imagine it would be safe for the staff to challenge them

Scienceadvisory · 11/08/2023 09:28

KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 09:23

Don't be so goady.

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What is goady is you title.

Mariposa26 · 11/08/2023 09:28

I saw this happen at co op too. A group of teenagers were stealing sandwiches and sweets from the front of the store, I told the staff on checkouts and they told me there was nothing anyone could do. It’s fair enough as the staff shouldn’t be expected to tackle thieves, but is a bit crazy!

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 11/08/2023 09:27

KimberleyClark · 11/08/2023 09:26

What happens when the security tags on the stolen bottles set off the alarms?

Nothing.

It's not worth the risk of having a staff member attacked or hurt just to save £50 worth of vodka from being taken.

dreamingbohemian · 11/08/2023 09:26

Your OP is ridiculous. Nobody thinks it's a human right to steal 🙄Rather Tesco quite rightly do not expect their staff to risk their lives over a couple bottles of booze.

Is there a high rate of crime in the area? Police forces have had to deal with massive cuts under this government. It does seem crazy they won't take care of this but perhaps they have a lot more serious cases to deal with.

Elieenmorrigan · 11/08/2023 09:26

I find it hard to believe that Tesco can't be more pro-active.

If these yobs are coming in 'every morning' then why not keep spirits in a secure locked area or keep the shelves unstocked until they've been in.

The manager needs to be speaking to Head Office about this. He needs to ask for an increase in his budget to employ security staff. That would pay for itself.

KimberleyClark · 11/08/2023 09:26

What happens when the security tags on the stolen bottles set off the alarms?

MymateDave · 11/08/2023 09:25

We are not allowed to approach shop lifters for our own safety. Always been tesco policy. We had 2 men fill bags with 1.2k worth of alcohol this week and just run out the store. We have 1 security guard, but thieves know he does late shift so come bright and early.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 11/08/2023 09:25

@Allthegoodnamesarechosen

Have you any links. I'd be interested to read about it.

Pinkitydrinkity · 11/08/2023 09:24

RudsyFarmer · 11/08/2023 09:21

Ah that’s right. Peanuts to Tescos. Price rices for all the suckers that actually pay for their shopping. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Show quote history

But how much would Tesco have to pay if a staff member went off sick after being attacked by these 3 guys?

chimneydifficult · 11/08/2023 09:23

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 11/08/2023 09:16

You want to check out what is happening in California. ( and Oxford Street 😳) Horrific.
I'm really glad I am old and will be dead soon, I don’t want to live in the New Barbarism.

Yes, because a 100% true story that someone posted on a forum means the whole world is heading towards barbarism.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 11/08/2023 09:23

I was listening to this on the radio the other day apparently shops are now only tackling theft over £200 and repeat offenders due to violence and lack of action

Thieves basically have free rein now.

This country doesn't have a single service that works any more.

And we still pay the price.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 11/08/2023 09:23

This happens regularly in our local Boots (otherwise pleasant, very community-minded outer London suburb).

Original poster
KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 09:23

Scienceadvisory · 11/08/2023 09:22

Perhaps you should have 'challenged' the shoplifters instead of the staff? Or didn't you think it worth risking your safety? The staff at Tesco probably think the same about protecting themselves.

Don't be so goady.

OP posts:
Original poster
KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 09:22

TeleTropes · 11/08/2023 09:19

Do you expect staff to risk their own well-being to stop a theft from a multinational conglomerate?

Sadly, the police don’t often have the resources to pursue shop theft under £200 and so these people are therefore left to it with all of us paying the higher prices to cover the loss.

It’s a sad state of affairs really.

@Moonberri Yes I thought of that.

@TeleTropes No I don't but I am ashamed of the police's answer, that the staffing of the police service has got to this. (Without ranting about the Tories, which is the cause)

Another Tesco not too far from that one, which is a Tesco Express, has doors closed and only admits people when they see who they are. I appreciate that is slowing down business and annoying and not a good use of staff time, and it can't weed out everyone as shoplifters can look like Joe or Joan Public, of course. But these three numpties wouldn't have been allowed in.

OP posts: