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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:
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11
brokenstone · 11/08/2023 14:59

I witnessed something similar in my local co op.

A couple filled baskets with food, took them out to their van which was parked right outside the entrance, then went back in and filled another few baskets and just drove off. It was literally day light robbery.

Nobody did anything.

Speckson · 11/08/2023 15:12

In our little town thieves and shoplifters get their faces plastered all over the local Facebook page. A recent prolific shoplifter has been banned by the police from town for 6 months, though some local citizens partially took matters into their own hands...
"The Shopkeepers of Swanage are having a massive problem with a particular individual at the moment. He’s stealing thousands from us all several times a week. He lives in Poole and seems to use the 150 bus, fill up bag for life bags with expensive lines from Boots, Co-op, Nixons, The Post Office, Costcutters and likely Budgens too among others. It appears that he’s stashing the stock in recycling bins behind Humphries Kirk and potentially somewhere around the Railway Station or The Healthcentre and then collecting it before using the 150 bus to get home. I actually managed with help from a few others to get his entire stash back last night but would really appreciate people from the town letting us know if they see him out and about. The shopkeepers keep fairly good contact with each other about theft so if you are able to let someone know it would be greatly appreciated."

Original poster
KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 15:26

A year ago, Richard Madeley hosted a talk segment that began "The [then] Justice Secretary, Dominic Raab, has told this programme that pensioners who steal because they cannot afford the essentials should not be let off the hook."

He should know. Tesco came down on him like a ton of bricks. But a lot has changed in 30 years. I know he's not in the job any more but I'd like to see what Dom would have done this morning with these three samples.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 11/08/2023 15:27

brokenstone · 11/08/2023 14:59

I witnessed something similar in my local co op.

A couple filled baskets with food, took them out to their van which was parked right outside the entrance, then went back in and filled another few baskets and just drove off. It was literally day light robbery.

Nobody did anything.

Maybe they worked for UberEats or Deliveroo? I don't know how their systems work but I'm guessing they dont have to queue at the checkout.

Pinkitydrinkity · 11/08/2023 15:30

GoodChat · 11/08/2023 15:27

Maybe they worked for UberEats or Deliveroo? I don't know how their systems work but I'm guessing they dont have to queue at the checkout.

Show quote history

The shop workers pack the bags and prepare the order to be collected by the delivery driver.

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

isthismylifenow · 11/08/2023 15:56

JobMatch3000 · 11/08/2023 10:13

I wonder if we will move to a society where it is home delivery only for your groceries. Although maybe then the thieves will target the delivery vans.

I used to visit a "bottle shop" where you could see all the wine/spirits but it was behind a "cage" and the staff members selected it for you.

Is it Australia where you can't buy alcohol in a supermarket? I wonder if Tesco's UK dare take that decision.

In SA. Can only buy wine in a supermarket. Any other alcohol you have to go to a liquor store to buy.

Quite a few of our shops have items locked away and you need to ask for them. Some of these items are baby formula, razor blades and cigarettes. Not all stores though, but I did notice that formula now has a sealed security tag on the tin.

It is a bit of a pita when you are in the queue to pay for a few items, and the person in front of you asks for cigarettes. The cashier then has to leave and go get them. We do have cigarette kiosks though, but people don't want to stand in two queues to get groceries and cigarettes.

Original poster
KatherineSwynford1403 · 11/08/2023 16:10

Speckson · 11/08/2023 15:12

In our little town thieves and shoplifters get their faces plastered all over the local Facebook page. A recent prolific shoplifter has been banned by the police from town for 6 months, though some local citizens partially took matters into their own hands...
"The Shopkeepers of Swanage are having a massive problem with a particular individual at the moment. He’s stealing thousands from us all several times a week. He lives in Poole and seems to use the 150 bus, fill up bag for life bags with expensive lines from Boots, Co-op, Nixons, The Post Office, Costcutters and likely Budgens too among others. It appears that he’s stashing the stock in recycling bins behind Humphries Kirk and potentially somewhere around the Railway Station or The Healthcentre and then collecting it before using the 150 bus to get home. I actually managed with help from a few others to get his entire stash back last night but would really appreciate people from the town letting us know if they see him out and about. The shopkeepers keep fairly good contact with each other about theft so if you are able to let someone know it would be greatly appreciated."

A boy I was at school with had his face in the Co-op and other local shops exhorting shopkeepers not to serve him and kick him out. He had ASBO after ASBO too.

Out of curiosity I just looked him up on Facebook. I can't see much but his profile picture is of him smoking weed.

OP posts:
dawngreen · 11/08/2023 16:26

Make them do work in the community for free. Unless you join them up to labour for the military, and they will not be soft on them.

stbrandonsboat · 11/08/2023 16:27

It's a bit scary to think people won't be able to even buy their food without running the gauntlet of gangs, thieves and yobs.

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

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 21:30

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

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.

Sarvanga38 · 11/08/2023 21:57

Elieenmorrigan · 11/08/2023 15:52

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

Hivaluegirl · 11/08/2023 22:01

There is a social media trend of looting going on.

Hivaluegirl · 11/08/2023 22:03

This is also why the price of everything is going up

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.

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.

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

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 22:42

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

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