About this security guard?

[QuestionableMouse]

Called in the supermarket earlier, dropped my prescription off at the pharmacy and went to do some shopping.

I noticed a security guard (in high viz, radio and with a name badge!) behind me a couple of times but didn't think anything of it at first until I realised he was following me around the store. (and I realised while I was looking at some thrush cream, which was kinda uncomfortable)

After being trailed for maybe fifteen minutes, I turned around and asked him if I could help him with something. He mumbled no and walked off.

I had a trolley with my small handbag in and fairly nice clothes on. It was honestly such a creepy experience it's put me off going back in!

Anyone?

What do you think was happening?

He was probably just doing his job?

Just because you are well-dressed doesn't mean you're not a thief. If it were that easy to identify shoplifters then his job would be much easier!

PS I seriously doubt he cares what thrush cream you buy - just so long as you actually intended to pay for it.

Should he only follow people who are not wearing ‘fairly nice clothes?’

What's the relevance of you having 'nice clothes' on?

Maybe you have a similar description to someone who is a known shoplifter, who knows. 15 minutes seems a long time, but it's a bit silly to be put off going back to a supermarket.

BTW well done for wasting fifteen minutes of his time.

When I notice security guards following me I either panic and get the hell out (even though I'm not doing anything wrong) or try to look as suspicious as possible. Most I've ever managed to keep them interested was about two minutes.

He was probably just doing his job?

It's not his job to follow people and make them feel uncomfortable if they aren't thieving. In every supermarket I've ever been to it's their job to stand not looking at the screens on the desk by the door.

Perhaps you looked a bit suspicious and he was doing his job, more likely you imagined it.

He is only doing his job. Do you think you can't be suspicious if you are wearing nice clothes??

It would make me feel uncomfortable too, not enough to boycott the shop or confront the security guard though so kudos to that!

Nicely dressed people may have just nicked better clothes

Maybe I'm just not versed in the ways of stealing, but I wasn't doing anything wrong. My bag is tiny so no chance of stuffing anything in there.

And no, I wasn't imaging it. Bit hard to imagine a six foot tall man in high viz following you around. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ive had this plenty of times hahahaha I must look like a thief 😂 I don’t think people LOOK a certain way thou in all honesty .
I did presume it’s because I have a lot of tattoos and it did bother me because the supermarket where it happens I spend about £150 every week and it’s annoying !
Last time it happened I had used self service and my hubbi popped back again because we forgot batteries so I was waiting with paid shipping near self checkouts when the security man approached me and said was u just using that self checkout and pointed to the one I didn’t use and I just said no I used that one I showed him my receipt I guess their just doing their jobs but it’s a horrible thought that someone thinks u may be stealing ! I don’t take any notice anymore xx

What you're wearing doesn't matter, I grew up in an area full of ridiculously rich people, including a few well-known footballers, and the amount of people I saw stuffing items into their bags and pockets/hidden inside coats was unreal. Most dressed in nice/designer clothing.

Where I am now, the most prolific thief at our local Tesco is a local business owner... Who for some reason seemed to think stealing then driving off in his van complete with business name, contact details, etc. wouldn't get him noticed and banned from the store. 🙈

YABVU. He’s just doing his job. What’s the problem here exactly?

People in naice clothes still steal, you know.

I've never seen a shop security guard in Hi-vis clothing.

Are you sure he wasn't just a workman or delivery driver who'd popped in to tesco to grab some thrush cream on his break?

I don't think you're being unreasonable. Years ago I was going home from uni for the weekend but my train was delayed. I thought I'd just pop to nearby shopping precinct to kill an hour or so but after 5 mins in first shop felt the eyes of the security guard boring into the back of my skull. I felt so uncomfortable that I left and went into the neighbouring store... only to hear a communication go over the security radio with my description telling them I was a shoplifter. It was so loud that other customers turned round and stared at me! I decided I wouldn't be falsely accused like this so went back to first shop (where another radio announcement went over 'she's back') and asked what on earth is going on. Was told someone had seen me stuffing clothes into my bag (at which point I opened my holdall and gave them a lovely view of laptop, uni books, toiletries and my tatty old PJs... definitely not stolen goods) but they were so obnoxious and completely unapologetic, maintaining that they were only going their job. They were so belligerent that I started crying out of sheer frustration only to then be told by the security guard to 'calm down, dear'. I left and caught my train but I was awfully upset by it all. I sent an email to the head office but never heard back. Sorry for long post but I never told anyone else about it as I felt like I'd done something wrong when I hadn't!

How on earth would we possibly know if it was reasonable for him to follow you? Obviously if it was bc of your ethnicity or skin color that would be unreasonable but you didn’t mention that and even if you had that would be your subjective assessment of the situation. Perhaps you were unwittingly moving around the store in a suspicious way. Or maybe the guard had gotten reports of “nicely dressed” women dropping things into their handbags recently. Do you really think strangers on the internet can make this determination?

@SmileyClare

I've never seen a shop security guard in Hi-vis clothing.

Are you sure he wasn't just a workman or delivery driver who'd popped in to tesco to grab some thrush cream on his break?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Though even if I'm wrong it's still creepy.

You all genuinely wouldn't be uncomfortable being followed around a supermarket by a man who is constantly watching you?

It’s happening more and more. I was followed round in Superdrug yesterday while buying wax strips and shampoo 😂. Maybe they throught I was stealing but I found it hilarious. Clearly got nothing better to do at all.

For all of you saying "he's just doing his job" how would you feel as an innocent shopper bing followed by a security guard? I bet you wouldn't like it either.

It's happened to me before and it made me feel horrible and threatened.

Not sure. I think i'd find it a bit annoying but with the social distancing thing, I could probably ignore it as its not like he was breathing down your neck. Creepy? No.

Uncomfortable? If I was trying to nick something, then yes.

I can't remember ever seeing hi vis security tailing shoppers in supermarkets? Can you name the shop?

Being, not bing

Our local security guard wears hi-viz

Tesco.

And I know he was a security guard because I could hear him talking on his radio with the other guards.

It wasn't a nice experience.