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!

He was out of order. That's so rude. There isn't a rule that says you have to use a basket. The rule is "don't steal", which you were abiding by!

I mean.. that's probably why they kept following you

@lasagnelle he used to follow all the prams.....not just mine Lol. Hence why I went round the shop twice. Just to give him something to do

See now that is out of order and discriminates against a protected characteristic

They are profiling you based on the buggy. This is not a protected characteristic and is insulting to those picked out due to race or disability. Mums and professional working women can be theives. You will fit something they've been asked to watch out for.

Why is everyone saying this is completely normal and he's doing his job? 🤣

Just because someone walks in with a buggy doesn't mean they're likely to start stealing half the shop.

Guards aren't trained to run up after you and question why you aren't carrying a bloody basket, and then follow you round the whole time (or at least do it discretely).

I have had 2 kids, and I used to put food in the bottom of the pram whilst going round the shop and then obviously paying for it at the end. I was never once approached by a security guard.

It's not normal behaviour, and it's not ok. I would send an email to management.

Because shop lifting has increased and become a massive problem so stores have had to adapt to try and combat this...

How long ago where you pushing your kids about in a buggy? Because times may have changed since then. Shoplifting is a huge problem now. They don't even try anymore... I have seen people just walk out of shops with a basket load because they know no one will do anything.
Security can't tackle people after the fact, but they can keep an eye out for people before they nick stuff.

The thing I love most about my buggy is that it can fit a whole week’s shop under there! Never been an issue to put stuff directly under it for me (usually Aldi or Sainsbury’s) but he does sound way OTT. When I worked in a clothes shop as a teen we did get loads of shoplifters taking a pram in the changing room and nicking stuff though.

I used to work on a till, the number of people who’d look shocked/horrified when I pointed out the massive bag of nappies they had on the pram that they hadn’t handed over for payment was incredible. Or the box of alcohol in the basket…

Genuine error…some
Same people week in week out tho!!!

Often the middle class, bugaboo/icandy owners... the horrors!!!

Not sure that's a solution if all the security guards follow people with prams!

What happens isn't shop-lifting, it's looting, and it's not mums with buggies, generally. It's groups of teens and young men who know nobody will touch them.

Maybe he has a hideous boss blaming him for recent thefts.

Completely irrelevant to the OP.

No it wasn’t. It was to try and understand why he was being so OTT with his behaviour.

There's a difference between being vigilant around buggies and harassing parents.

In my experience, security staff have always been suspicious of buggies, similarly large bags. It doesn't mean they can treat all customers like thieves.

Customer services in this country are down the toilet. Raise your bar, those saying this is ok!

She's doing her shopping not offering therapy. When you go shopping with a baby or toddler you are just trying to get what you need and out of the door before they scream the place down. The OP shouldn't be dealing with some toxic man or considering his poor excuses for why he behaves that way. Don't even give it the headspace.

I can think whatever I want thanks. I was not asking her to conduct therapy. I know that low-paid staff are often terrified of dictatorial bosses, and scared of losing their jobs. That does not mean I agree with his actions.

No... its not. It's all sorts. Including what might appear to be mums with buggies but are actually dolls in buggies. Or mums with buggies "accidentally" leaving in one or two items

Tbh op I'd be inclined to complain but in a nice way. I'm not saying he's doing something overly wrong - it sounds like he's just trying too hard at his job at best or profiling you at worst but either way if he's making women out with children uncomfortable by following them around the shop and harassing them then that's not OK either. There's a middle ground where he can do his job but a bit more tactfully. If you think he's just been over keen I wouldn't want to get him in trouble, but if you think he's stereotyping you for another reason such as your ethnicity for example then I'd complain in stronger terms.

Next time, ask him to carry your basket for you.