Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thread gallery
11
DdraigGoch · 12/08/2023 17:48

PriamFarrl · 11/08/2023 11:47

And of course the problem is that if all shoplifters were caught and sentenced to a spell in prison then where do they all go and who is paying for that?

As for all the ‘Tesco are bastards, good on them’ types, remember that when it’s your car that’s nicked or your house that is burgled.

You just have to start making a few examples to make the others desist.

Alternatively, anyone got a prison hulk anywhere? I'm not too concerned about the hygiene on it...

DiaNaranja · 12/08/2023 13:49

We have been told recently that it is now gross misconduct for us to follow a customer out of the store, so that's why they won't get challenged by staff. They technically haven't stolen until they've left the store, and once they have left the store there's nothing we can do. If they are taking it so brazenly without even trying to conceal it, they obviously aren't scared of any potential confrontation either. Can't really expect someone on minimum wage to put themselves in danger trying to protect stock, when they've been specifically told not to, and could potentially lose their job (or worse) for doing so.

RudsyFarmer · 12/08/2023 11:13

And as predicted they are starting to lock down high streets having seen evidence of mass lootings being planned. There will be curfews soon. No breakdown of society? Fucking chilling.

FuckertyFuckFuckfuckery · 12/08/2023 10:12

JMSA · 12/08/2023 10:03

What a sad way to view your life.

Show quote history

It’s honest though

JMSA · 12/08/2023 10:03

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.

What a sad way to view your life.

JMSA · 12/08/2023 10:02

Fuckers. No wonder prices are rocketing for the rest of us.
My daughter used to work in a shop selling stuff for the home. They used to have a massive problem with Yankee candle theft. And yeah, the thieves were pretty much untouchable.
It's depressing that there's no punishment anymore. I see it all the time in the high school where I work, so the sense of entitlement starts young.

DriftingDora · 12/08/2023 09:57

stbrandonsboat · Yesterday 23:22
TreadLight · Yesterday 22:42

@Elis44 , weird isn't it. You'd think that with more police, there would be less crime. What on earth are they doing?

Attacking females, protecting criminals, policing tweets, intimidating people and buying coffee at McDonald's?

You forgot: sending inappropriate messages to each other, getting away with inappropriate behaviour that's been reported to their superiors and (Top Cops speciality) = presiding over the shambles that is the Met police force (other forces are also available).

I have every confidence in law and order. 😆

Valeriekat · 12/08/2023 07:03

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 11/08/2023 09:27

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.

Show quote history

It isn't 50 pounds worth of vodka though is it if it happens every day and many people do it. The police are a waste of time.

AllyCart · 12/08/2023 00:49

Combusting · 11/08/2023 10:24

You will understand that this is likely to be interpreted as a made up story. —which it is— possibly.

Show quote history

I don't get why OP won't say where it was, either.

It's hardly going to be personally identifying.

ReginaRegina · 12/08/2023 00:36

Moonberri · 11/08/2023 09:19

Interesting to read this post in juxtaposition with the autostic teenager arrested by 6 officers for saying that one of them looked like a lesbian like her Nan.

I bet the officer was just 😡 that her new 'pixie cut' was giving off lesbian granny vibes. 😂😂😂

sunnydaytoday0 · 12/08/2023 00:31

Was reading this article in the Mail today and reminded me of this thread. It quotes a Co op worker who sustained a head injury after being bottled by someone after trying to stop them stealing alcohol. Maybe this is why shop workers won't approach these people and don't need people like the OP "challenging" their decision.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12397705/Moment-shoplifter-empties-shelf-wine-spirits-bag-daylight-Op-raid-Lawless-London-sneering-staff-Ill-tomorrow-time.html#comments

'I took my hand off my head and realised I was bleeding. I felt it trickling all down my neck and chest - my work shirt was red with blood.

'In the two years I've worked there, we've had staff pushed and spat at, smacked. It shouldn't be happening.

'Since this incident I completely stay out of the way of shoplifters now and I worry about colleagues putting themselves in danger. We don't feel safe.'

Shocking moment thief raids Co-op and tells staff 'I'll be back'

In yet another damning view of Lawless London, a thief was caught helping himself to more than a dozen bottles of wine from Co-Op in Lavender Hill, Wandsworth.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12397705/Moment-shoplifter-empties-shelf-wine-spirits-bag-daylight-Op-raid-Lawless-London-sneering-staff-Ill-tomorrow-time.html#comments

stbrandonsboat · 11/08/2023 23:22

TreadLight · 11/08/2023 22:42

@Elis44 , weird isn't it. You'd think that with more police, there would be less crime. What on earth are they doing?

Attacking females, protecting criminals, policing tweets, intimidating people and buying coffee at McDonald's?

TreadLight · 11/08/2023 22:42

@Elis44 , weird isn't it. You'd think that with more police, there would be less crime. What on earth are they doing?

Elis44 · 11/08/2023 22:36

TreadLight · 11/08/2023 22:28

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023

And yet there are more police officers than ever before. They have better communications, better IT, better vehicles. They wear stab proof vests, carry tasers and CS spray. And yet the perception is that they are getting worse and worse at tacking the crime which affects ordinary people.

But more crime.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-outcomes-in-england-and-wales-2022-to-2023/crime-outcomes-in-england-and-wales-2022-to-2023

Crime outcomes in England and Wales 2022 to 2023

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-outcomes-in-england-and-wales-2022-to-2023/crime-outcomes-in-england-and-wales-2022-to-2023

TreadLight · 11/08/2023 22:28

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023

And yet there are more police officers than ever before. They have better communications, better IT, better vehicles. They wear stab proof vests, carry tasers and CS spray. And yet the perception is that they are getting worse and worse at tacking the crime which affects ordinary people.

Police workforce, England and Wales: 31 March 2023

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023

LuvSmallDogs · 11/08/2023 22:21

I've worked retail, and I wouldn't need to be told I was "not allowed" to confront shoplifters - I'd never risk getting assaulted for the sake of the company's stock. I've known some workers who have confronted shoplifters and chased after them, and tbh I think they were being reckless.

SlippySarah · 11/08/2023 22:14

HorseyMel · 11/08/2023 15:31

50% of society conforms to the regime and works hard - and for the profit of others

The other 50% don't play the game and get benefits etc - which are paid for by the first 50%

The rulers play the groups off against one another to keep us all divided and to justify taking a load of your money in tax to "keep you safe" etc

What's has getting "benefits etc" got to do with shoplifting and theiving? Most benefit claimants also work and/or are disabled, unwell, full time carers. They aren't out stealing from tesco any more than you are. Plenty of people who earn high salaries also try to cheat the system and take things they aren't entitled to. Fuck off with your benefit bashing.

Hivaluegirl · 11/08/2023 22:03

This is also why the price of everything is going up

Hivaluegirl · 11/08/2023 22:01

There is a social media trend of looting going on.

Sarvanga38 · 11/08/2023 21:57

Elieenmorrigan · 11/08/2023 15:52

but some Forces are taking a stand ; https://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/23613522.woman-banned-stores-shoplifting-cotswolds/

How do your standard shop staff stop her though, I wonder? She’s clearly bold as brass.

Crunchymum · 11/08/2023 21:35

My local Sainsbos is like Fort Knox (you have to scan your receipt to get out via barriers) and I've witnessed security guards stopping someone for not buying a bag [this was M&S and to be fair I think there was more to it - very argumentative customer etc].

There's just zero consistency.

rockpoolingtogether · 11/08/2023 21:30

Daisyhillsareblooming · 11/08/2023 10:23

I saw similar in TKMaxx, I saw a guy fill his rucksack and walk out. I told the security guard and he said they’re not allowed to confront this . It’s totally bizarre.

I wonder what they have a security guard then? What's the point

rockpoolingtogether · 11/08/2023 21:28

littleripper · 11/08/2023 10:10

And yet when I complained that WHSmith had porn in the children's section I was detained by security and the Police arrived within 10 mins. Odd eh?

Wtf?

rockpoolingtogether · 11/08/2023 21:27

Sadly, I don't think we will have shops as we know them within 15 years. It will all be online and delivery. Things are changing