Security guard follows me with buggy

[MollyP1]

Since having a baby I’ve noticed security guards following me around shops when I’m with the buggy. Today, I walked into Tesco and the security guard ran after me, shouting hello repeatedly. He walked in front of me with his body cam on and asked me why I hadn’t picked up a basket when I came in. I said I’m only getting one item. He didn’t step aside, he continued to position himself to ensure he was recording my face as he clearly thought I was a thief (I am not). Then every aisle I walked down, he appeared. It made me feel so anxious. Is this normal behaviour from security guards? Why do I have to take a basket?? I can’t push a buggy easily with one hand if I’m holding a basket!! It has really bothered me and I keep thinking about it. I don’t think it’s acceptable behaviour from him!

Alternatively ask him to carry your basket while you get your one thing.

They're doing their jobs. The reality is that prams are used for shoplifting. Maybe it's a big problem in that particular store and/or he's been told to look out for it. Your being a professional has nothing to do with anything; professionals shoplift too.

I used to have a security guard follow me round the local shop, and I had a basket. I just used to wander aimlessly for the sheer hell of it

I always put my shopping in the pushchair rather than in a basket... My local shops never had an issue with this.
But I did notice that in some areas/shops, security guards pay more attention to me since I have a pushchair. I don't really have an issue with this, and they are welcome to check the pushchair at check out to make sure I've unloaded everything, but I would be pissed off if they tried to force me to use a basket.

I use the self scan handset now anyway.

I got stopped leaving Tesco's as I had taken a small trolley in with me but not bought anything. I had gone in there to buy something cumbersome / a small desk I had seen in a different store. Had put some small things in the trolley but when realising they didn't sell the thing I wanted I put them back as the queues were massive. I had no idea they could stop the trolley moving as you walked out, I was very confused. It makes sense though, like taking a pram in it's a common technique used by thieves.

I guess it's an issue where you live but it's not personal, they are just doing their job. Although I don't know how following you round is going to help as you are allowed to put as much stuff in your pushchair as you want so long as you pay for it.
(And your pockets- got this wrong once at a job interview.)

Oh, they would´ve loved me. I used to put stuff in the hood of the pram, then I would pay for it, obviously. Can´t say I noticed being followed by anyone.

Agree with this

but also a professional working woman. Not a thief.

They aren't mutually exclusive

Saw someone pulled over by a security guard and she ran leaving pram behind.
It had a life like doll in the pram!

It is not unusual for shoplifters to use prams to hide stuff in, and the security guards will be aware of that. Maybe it is a particular issue in the shop you go in.

You were singled out by this person and I would complain. Not taking a basket is not indicative that you're a shoplifter and he had no right to obviously keep an eye on you the way you describe.

I had a similar experience when I was a teenager, a ridiculous plain clothes detective who clearly had nothing better to do followed me around a supermarket when I was about 14, frightened the life out of me by brushing past me at the checkout then watching me walk away through the window. He was made to apologise when my very irate DM complained to the store

I had a security guard follow me around Waitrose. I asked him for help choosing a wine from the booze section.

I agree with a previous poster, next time ask him to carry the basket for you.

he had no right to obviously keep an eye on you the way you describe.

Of course he had a right, it's literally his job! How is he supposed to look out for shopkeepers if he's not allowed watch people?

Because he singled her out. It's his job to oversee the store not pick on certain people for no good reason

She had a pushchair, no basket and potentially gave him attitude when questioned
Therefore she marked herself out as suspicious. Watching someone suspicious is part of his job

I'm in the same Tesco 4-5 times a week and still get eyeballed if my 2 year old is in his buggy🙄

So shoppers with pushchairs who don't pick up baskets are automatically under suspicion? I don't agree, not everyone needs a basket. I believe this security guard just decided to single out someone they perceived to be vulnerable.

That particular store probably has lot of problems with shoplifters but its definately not the norm for security guards in any store to confront you for not taking a basket. With or without a buggy.

But why? Why would he think she was vulnerable, and what effect would that have on him doing his job? Why does pushing a buggy in a supermarket make you vulnerable? and vulnerable to what? I've done it a thousand times and never felt more vulnerable than when I didn't have one. Lots of people have said that having a buggy is a known shoplifting technique, so you're going to face more scrutiny. I just can't follow your reasoning.

I did my weekly shop in a supermarket on my first expedition out post birth. I brought my pram as I have a large basket deliberately chosen so I can put shopping there. I went into the shop next door, was paying for items when the cashier on the next till aggressively accused me of shoplifting in their store more or less. I am no thief but I called them out on it and wrote a snotty email to their head office and received an apology shortly afterward. My argument is that I understand sadly some people use prams to steal-although I also believe we should not judge until we walk in someone’s shoes, however, I also do not think it is acceptable to harangue a mother and their child on the assumption they’re nicking. I would try not to let the jobsworth get to you, although to be fair, I totally get it. My incident must have been used in training because I had various staff members post incident telling me they recognised my pram randomly.

Apparently anyone with a buggy is a shoplifter.

That's why.

And because they are bored, and it's better for them to follow a woman around as they won't get punched (probably).

Shoplifting rates have shot through the roof and prams are commonly used during thefts. He was doing his job. If you don't like it shop somewhere else.

Not had that experience but if I was popping into a shop for say a few items I used to balance them on the hood of the pram.

I had a bear row in M and S where she was trying to make me take a basket and o refused: how do I carry a basket, push the pram and hold on to my toddler. If I needed lots of shopping I would have had a trolley:

I did ask if she would push the pram to help if the basket was compulsory

This. It's not personal. It's profiling.