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Original poster

Saw someone stealing from a Foodbank point in Tesco

188 replies

Monty27 · 20/09/2022 21:48

Rant
I couldn't believe my eyes I seriously couldn't. His appearance looked clean and smart I just saw him from behind and I thought he was putting in a donation and if my eyes didn't deceive me he actually walked off with an item and put it in his shopping bag. I didn't report or challenge him it was so shocking.
Ill email Tesco and the Foodbank about it.
But just how low can society get?

OP posts:
whatsthestory123 · 20/09/2022 22:21

its not on imo
you dont judt help yourself to a charity donation
sorry bad form from him

i dont give to food banks in supermarkets for somebody to help themselves

on another site some lady said she saw a coulple swap small eggs for lager one's is that ok to

User1754983 · 20/09/2022 22:22

Mumsnet does seem to like the idea that there are loads of desperate people about, though obviously no one posting is usually desperate as they are all busy donating

ThinWomansBrain · 20/09/2022 22:23

I remember a few years ago when food bank collection points in supermarkets were a new thing.
Saw a basket of 'intereting stuff' and started browsing under the false apprehension that it was a collection of things on special offer 🙄

DoingJustFine · 20/09/2022 22:23

My local Co-Op doesn't challenge thieves. The other day I saw a young man carrying a massive box of Stella lagers out of the shop. I was too shocked and scared to say anything.

Coming on here, I now feel guilty for not stealing the him some Pringles and dips to go with his beer. Poor lad. 🙄

whatsthestory123 · 20/09/2022 22:24

User1754983 · 20/09/2022 22:18

Why is everyone assuming he is desperate and in need rather than just a thief who probably is not in need, blimey, everyone will be thieving from these places as mumsnetters say they are in need so it's ok

its MN nobody is ever to blame and its all ok to do what you want

JenJones5 · 20/09/2022 22:24

NotMyDust · 20/09/2022 22:07

nah some people are addicted or need a way to escape the sh*t stress of their lives. Our society sells those things and people maybe feel they don't have the strength to make what we may call "good choices".

Show quote history

Yes, agreed, and someone well-off choosing to take their shreddies in response is perfectly entitled to do so.

Itstarts · 20/09/2022 22:24

If he was stealing for the sake of stealing, for the "thrill" or whatever, then wouldn't he steal from the shop floor? Not goods that had been paid for already?

NormalNans · 20/09/2022 22:25

I once had a brain fart in the supermarket and picked up something from the food bank trolley with the intention of buying it for the food bank. Anyone watching would have thought I was trying to steal it. DH looked at me like 🤨 and asked WTF I was doing 😂

daisyjgrey · 20/09/2022 22:25

You're mistaken, you didn't see anything. Carry on with your day.

cansu · 20/09/2022 22:25

I would assume he needed it and do nothing.

whatsthestory123 · 20/09/2022 22:25

DoingJustFine · 20/09/2022 22:23

My local Co-Op doesn't challenge thieves. The other day I saw a young man carrying a massive box of Stella lagers out of the shop. I was too shocked and scared to say anything.

Coming on here, I now feel guilty for not stealing the him some Pringles and dips to go with his beer. Poor lad. 🙄

omg we must have the same co-op some guy loaded uo his bag with 6 tins of baby milk,i rold the dtaff and they did feck all

User1754983 · 20/09/2022 22:25

Itstarts · 20/09/2022 22:24

If he was stealing for the sake of stealing, for the "thrill" or whatever, then wouldn't he steal from the shop floor? Not goods that had been paid for already?

Because obviously by this thread it's seen as perfectly ok

MumCanIDoThat · 20/09/2022 22:26

Ashamedbutididit · 20/09/2022 22:14

I shoplifted to feed my dc at one point.

Some years ago there was a major fuck up with tax credits. I was on sick leave from my work (broken leg, facial injuries and physical job), my violent ex and I had split and awaiting a court date for his sentencing. I (and thousands of others) were waiting months for tax credits, we couldn't claim anything meantime, and all they said was they would backdate money.

I had no family, friends were in the same boat, I sold everything I could, even my bed.

I stole from the supermarket a few times, just basic food, and I stole shoes from a charity shop for one of my dc who desperately needed them.

Not the finest point of my life, but I did what I had to at that time.

If someone is stealing basic items please just look the other way. Different if its alcohol or whatever.

I'm so sorry you had to do that. I don't judge you. I recently saw two schoolgirls steal some bread. I turned the other way. Thankfully the staff who also saw this, turned away too.

XenoBitch · 20/09/2022 22:26

DoingJustFine · 20/09/2022 22:23

My local Co-Op doesn't challenge thieves. The other day I saw a young man carrying a massive box of Stella lagers out of the shop. I was too shocked and scared to say anything.

Coming on here, I now feel guilty for not stealing the him some Pringles and dips to go with his beer. Poor lad. 🙄

A former alcoholic told me that he would regular steal from shops, and not get confronted.... because they knew about his addiction. It was easier to let him go than confront him.

MumCanIDoThat · 20/09/2022 22:26

ThinWomansBrain · 20/09/2022 22:23

I remember a few years ago when food bank collection points in supermarkets were a new thing.
Saw a basket of 'intereting stuff' and started browsing under the false apprehension that it was a collection of things on special offer 🙄

🤣🤣

FarmerRefuted · 20/09/2022 22:26

DoingJustFine · 20/09/2022 22:23

My local Co-Op doesn't challenge thieves. The other day I saw a young man carrying a massive box of Stella lagers out of the shop. I was too shocked and scared to say anything.

Coming on here, I now feel guilty for not stealing the him some Pringles and dips to go with his beer. Poor lad. 🙄

My local co-op doesn't challenge thieves because a, its not the job of minimum wage shop staff to put themselves at risk by confronting shoplifters who will potentially kick off and b, times are hard and desperate people are going to do desperate shit (which brings us back to point a).

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/09/2022 22:27

Just thank your lucky stars you're not in that position Op.

cansu · 20/09/2022 22:28

I also love your comment that he clearly didn't look poor enough as he was clean!
You can be very short of money for food, but also be clean and smart.

Beeinalily · 20/09/2022 22:28

I work in a supermarket and this isn't unusual. Very poor people? They're usually the ones that put into the collection, bless them.

Kendodd · 20/09/2022 22:29

I agree, society really has sunk low when people can't afford to feed themselves. Shame on us.

I remember about ten years ago they used to have one of those donation bins for the local animal shelter, collecting pet food. A couple of years after the Tories came to power it was replaced and a food bank bin was put there instead.

scrufffy · 20/09/2022 22:30

So because he was clean and smart he couldn't need help?

SpaceRaiders · 20/09/2022 22:30

I think people need to learn to mind their own business more so now than ever before. You may be fortunate enough to be able to buy essentials but many people won’t be.

As an aside I’ve noticed that foodbank bins which used to be pretty sizeable during covid, have gotten smaller and smaller with less and less items being donated.

whatsthestory123 · 20/09/2022 22:33

well next time somebody steals of the its fine brigade remember those that may be in greater need

spiderlight · 20/09/2022 22:34

Appearances can be deceptive. I saw an immaculately dressed woman taking food out of a bin the weekend. I looked the other way.

User1754983 · 20/09/2022 22:36

SpaceRaiders · 20/09/2022 22:30

I think people need to learn to mind their own business more so now than ever before. You may be fortunate enough to be able to buy essentials but many people won’t be.

As an aside I’ve noticed that foodbank bins which used to be pretty sizeable during covid, have gotten smaller and smaller with less and less items being donated.

Probably because everything has been snaffled by those helping themselves