Shops DEMANDING Bag Search Policy?

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[@yeahweburnstuff]

What about the new trend of phasing out paper receipts? This bag search thing combined with the removal of paper receipts is dangerous.

[@debby705]

They've done that in France, but we can still ask for a printed receipt if we wish

[@andrewkirkland1452]

Most people don't want a receipt unless they are buying a large amount. You will always get a receipt if you ask for one or on self service it will ask if you want one and you press yes. If the printer is broken you can ask the supervisor to fix the printer. The person serving you should ask if you want a receipt it is a legal requirement that cant be removed.

[@perseus431]

@@andrewkirkland1452 It's an inconvenience. They already ask if you want a receipt or not.

[@kayew5492]

That's a good point. I usually say no when asked if I want the receipt, at least for groceries, but that's no good if they want to implement bag searches.

[@sidwainhouse]

There's never been a requirement to give you a receipt, just it was always done.

[@JustBlondie]

They should have more security watching shoplifters than being able to check innocent peoples bags.

[@CameliaCraftsDesigns]

Totally agree.

[@MrDblStop]

It's great being old. If I ever see a hot middle aged chick checking me out in a store I know she's a store detective 😁.

[@JustBlondie]

@@MrDblStop 😂

[@roberts.wilson1848]

Nope. Bad idea. Because they won't get more security, they will get more cameras and follow you every second and hear every word you say. That is far, FAR more dangerous and privacy invasive than a generic bags search and confirmation of the goods.

[@lamf4846]

I would refuse a bag search. And if I'd already paid for the items, I'd tell them to have their goods back and give me a refund.

[@davidspear9790]

Incidences of low level shoplifting seem to be treated as a civil offence these days and if they are caught all the staff will do is try to stop the culprit leaving the store with the goods. Then they just claim on their insurance, meaning the price goes up and the serial offenders get away with it. Very rarely do police get involved, unless it's high value goods involved.

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

When you start treating your customers as un-trust worthy crooks, all of them. You will begin to lose business as a result, most people will be insulted they're being treated like that by a place they never robbed from and have supported for years with shopping at. I get the shop lifting is getting bad, but this solution will lose more customers than shop lifters they catch. Anyway as we know most young shop lifters are easy to recognise, they cover their faces, come in groups, wear hoodies or jackets and come with no bags, trolley or baskets a lot of the time. And they tend to also be of certain complexations as well and many of them lack certain native accents. I also don't really like the idea of security guards using any force on people to comply, Hear me out why. My worry is the people who do shoplift ain't going to allow some security guard to just use force on them. And the problem with using force is the fact you must have the ability to overpower their force, if you don't you can be hurt back quite hard. I think this could get security guards injured doing a police officer's job.

[@DevilbyMoonlight]

It says something about the personality of who decided to bring this in... like what Shaw said: 'the liars punishment isn't that they are never believed its that they never believe anyone else, so perhaps they are thieves themselves...

[@itsnotme2632]

I agree to a point, the shop doesnt want to lose money, but its gunna be terribly embarrassing rummaging thru your bags, again its the lowlifes in society who are makin the rest of us suffer..

[@Kevinsmithns]

Learn common law jurisdiction. Corporations don't have any rights. Nor do their employees. That includes government. There are NO exceptions to this. No shops are entitled to anything. They require CONSENT. Even statutes etc do. So a corporations policies? They apply only to their employees. Detaining you? It requires an indicatable offence meaning serious offence. Shop lifting is not one. The problem is, courts are statutory and not a court of record or common law jurisdiction anymore. If we abided by COMMON LAW JURISDICTION as we should be, all cases would be dismissed as a violation of due process. Never let the corporations have authority. Stand up for yourself and your rights. Acts etc etc are NOT LAWS for man and woman. They only apply to corporations. And corporations policies ONLY apply to their employees.

[@JJ-yl2mi]

I work in the security industry and everything the black belt barrister is saying is 100% correct.

[@petergaskin1811]

Just one more reason not to shop in Aldi.

[@MikeBradleyUK]

Regarding the self service tills I thought i read somewhere that up until you pay for the goods then they can check your items as they still belong to the store.

[@conclaveofthelost513]

Innocent until proved guilty NOT assumed guilty until proved innocent. Especially when you are giving people the right to do something they have no right to do.

[@stephenbaker5686]

One quick solution is NEVER EVER USE ALDI AGAIN.😂😂😂

[@mtgigi]

People with nothing to hide, hide nothing. People are too easily offended. Just let it go UNLESS you are being harassed or manhandled.

[@stuartvale2901]

If the transaction has already completed, then the shop cannot turn around and say that they're not going to serve you - the transaction has already taken place. The shop has already suggested what they want to be paid, you have paid it, they have accepted. That is all that is required in retail law at the base level. Any policy that they attempt to enforce after the event is null and void. The search would need to be requested before the transaction has taken place for it to have any legitimacy.

[@stevenhodgson834]

Yep, their policy is to ask you for permission to search your bags _before_ the transaction takes place. If you decline, they may decline to sell you the goods.

[@georgebarnes8163]

Security guards can search your bags and yourself legally in Northern Ireland UK

[@richardmullens4707]

For people travelling on public transport or on foot who haven't got a car to leave things in, they have to take all their bags inside the shop. Therefore Aldi are going through personal belongings, maybe if you have stayed overnight at a friend's you might be carrying yesterday's underwear in the bag, you are popping in to Aldi to buy groceries on your way home. Having Aldi staff looking through your personal belongings is wrong

[@normalwisdom4048]

*if i walk through detectors & the alarm sounds i ignore it & walk on*

[@mcjaystar]

What about places like Sainsburys near me. If you go through self scan checkout there are barriers now that you have to scan your receipt to go through. I find this very uncomfortable and there’s no pre warning as you walk in either that if you pay in self scan you will be trapped unless you scan receipt? Can I deny them looking at my receipt?

[@stevenhodgson834]

Just push the barriers open. They play a nice jaunty tune when that happens.

[@shaneedwards596]

if..... a person has been seen on CCTV around the stores committing questionable actions, like picking up items and placing them in their bag instead of the basket... then sure, I would say a stop and search would be justified... but we live in an age where most of the cashiers happen to be the customer in almost every retail store.... so if they can trust you enough to do their job instead of employing staff to do that work role... then they should trust you enough to be honest until proven or given reason to believe otherwise... but to request a bag search before even entering into the store... especially if i'm in a rush and need to be somewhere soon after for example, lets say i am on my way to pick up my kids from school and urgently need to pick up a couple of things from the store before i pick up my kids... and they hold me up going through the stress and delays of having to do a bag search without any reason to trigger a bag search... and lets say there are quite a few people who have been stopped in line to be searched before they are allowed to shop there.... I'm literally going to hand my basket to them and walk out... i will shop elsewhere, as i would not have time to be hanging around and would find it disrespectful of them especially when being an honest customer... and i foresee this as being potentially a huge loss for them in the amount of customers who would also choose to walk away... after all criminals will find away to negate their procedures, while the innocent will be easier to get victimised or persecuted

[@everythinggoodsfeckingtaken]

Coiuld you expand on this for searching of staff. A number of retailers have a flat search policy, not based on suspicion... purely that if you worked, you're bags getting searched. (I know for fact JD sports chain do this from 1st hand account of a family member). You cannot decline this as they will simply fire you.

[@robertbarton4776]

Yes, it’s easy to submit to a search. Being easy doesn’t make it right. Put staff back on the tills, if you want to reduce theft.

[@andrewlong6438]

You can still steal stuff even if you use a conveyor belt!

[@michelleplume4778]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 well said

[@tesserakt54]

What on earth are you thinking? They'd have to pay them then!

[@a.j.b.8658]

The supermarkets make me laugh, as if they're not the daylight robbers!

[@davidclark3603]

I got accused of stealing at Asds in Ashton Under Lyne. I hadn't! It was just a power trip!

[@24pavlo]

*If you have nothing to hide* is such a slippery slope. I'm surprised to hear it from a barrister.

[@davidanderson4091]

I agree... *Nothing to hide, nothing to fear* is a sop used by those to would abrogate our civil rights for the sake of expediency. IIRC, Benjamin Franklin once said something about that!!

[@johnharrison1743]

Back in the 1970s I worked in a department store. We were taught that we could only stop a shoplifter if we had seen them secrete the goods and attempt to leave the store passing a payment point. We had to have them in view all the time so they couldn't have dumped the goods. Now there seems to be a presumption of guilt. It may be easier to allow a search than not but these rights are hard won and easily lost.

[@davidedwards1786]

Still the same now it’s called 'Selects, Conceals, Observed, No attempts to pay, Exits store then u can stop

[@MrGundawindy]

Whilst I agree with Aldi being able to prevent shoplifting, I can't help but think that if they wat to make sure I've scanned everything through properly, maybe they could employ someone to scan the products for me. I know, it's a revolutionary idea but I haven't patented it so it is free to use by any shop. The alternative if you think these searches are excessive? Maybe just shop elsewhere and see how long the policy lasts.

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

lol

[@mssdn8976]

I used to live in the USA and everything was scanned and packed by the cashier, then they wheeled your shopping out to your car and put it in your trunk (boot). I moved back to England and everything was so different.

[@ChrisBrown_1959]

They already do, it's called a checkout.

[@MrGundawindy]

@@ChrisBrown_1959 never heard of it. 🤷‍♂

[@EuphemiaGrubb]

@@MrGundawindy LOL!

[@dchubad]

I'd never consent to a search simply because I know where it will eventually lead in the future. I am not a thief and never will be but to allow shops to invade your privacy or to look at your belongings without your permission is never a good thing. It is also time consuming, embarrasing and just wrong.

[@peterhall8572]

I've just commented something similar erosion of your personal security and privacy

[@wandpj]

So avoid that situation by never going into a supermarket or store.

[@laviniathorn3097]

Guilty conscience then? I have no problem with being searched.

[@musiclover9361]

​@@laviniathorn3097, it isn't a 'guilty conscience' at all. By wanting to search a customer's belongings, the store staff are indicating that s/he is suspected of theft.

[@scrappedlives]

If you go into a shop with an empty bag, I don’t see the problem showing them my empty. bag

[@aa-im8qo]

I'm stunned (as a huge fan on admirer of BB) to hear him supinely say that he would allow a stranger in a shop to search him. I always refuse out of principle - even if there's a sign on the entrance saying they reserve the right to search you. In what Realm is this scenario reasonable? How are people so passive that they accept being treated as a criminal by a shop? If challenged in this way as I leave a shop, I always tell them if they think I've stolen something then call the police (I never have and they never do) and then I walk off. Why doesn't BB advise everyone to do this? What's the worst that can happen - they ban me from going to their shop and spending money? And there is virtually zero chance of the police bothering their arse even if I driver car through the front window and stole a whole shelf of goods.

[@RichardReid-l3c]

He 's probably vaccinated too😅

[@spyrytaraxalass]

@@RichardReid-l3c All the sensible people are ya muppet!

[@AzguardMike]

Whats that got to do with anything?@@RichardReid-l3c

[@englanduk6131]

This is disgusting, what's next a body search?

[@onlyonewhyphy]

Cavity Search for zucchinis

[@englanduk6131]

@@onlyonewhyphy 😁

[@MGX93dot]

@@onlyonewhyphy courgettes mate. maybe watch a bit less american shite

[@BorninPurple]

With all due respect, it's not about letting someone search your bag because it's "easier"; it sets a precedent about what constitutes acceptable behaviour. I don't want the prospect of it being a requirement my bags get search, like I'm a prisoner or under military occupation. Everything is invasive as it is, why should I let people check what possessions I have on me? It's like when people say "if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide." Screw that, I'm guarenteed the right not to let people know my privacy and I do not want the precedent that I can be searched like some sort of prisoner.

[@julienorton1067]

👏🏼👏🏼

[@notpoliticallycorrect1303]

Indeed,many don't see the big picture.thin end of the wedge and all that.

[@Mezeskex]

Interesting you are not kicking off when security checks your bag when you go to a theme park or at the airport. What's the difference? Also instead of getting offended get off from the high horse and give then the companies suitable or what you would think acceptable ideas of preventing,reducing shoplifting without offending anyone's feeling. As this happen in a few selected stores i assume the theft must br extremely high. Don't blame the company, they just try to prevent loosing their stock. Blame the people who steal.

[@wiinidiaz]

@@Mezeskex How often do you go to a theme park to buy your food?!

[@Mezeskex]

@@wiinidiaz doesn't really matter how many times. It is the same process isn't it? They search your bag and if you don't let them you won't get on the airplane or in to the theme park. Just because they ask if they could check your bag doesn't mean they accuse you of anything. Also with this logic if they search your bag oh no they accused me with stealing, however when they search your bag at the airport or theme park then you will say oh no they accused me beeing a terrorist? Like i said before. What is your idea then to help them reducing shoplifting without hurting anyone's feeling? Instead of beeing offended, let's find a solution that suits both side.

[@u45uify]

aside from suspecting shoplifting, shops should not be allowed to search ANYTHING of yours at any point, and letting them search "because its easier" is simply going to make this worse, if you give them a millimetre, they will take a mile every single time without fail

[@jublywubly]

In Australia, they don't have any right to check people's bags. I used to work for some people who wanted us regular retail assistants to ask people to show their bags. It wasn't my job; I was their just to sell things, and the customers have no obligation to show us anything, so I never asked any customers to see their bags.

[@davidwebb4904]

If they forcibly search you and they find NOTHING, is that a legitimate lawsuit against them?

[@Seven-poet-poetry]

InTexas, yes.

[@Bullsquid592]

If they forcibly search you.. as in you are not consenting, it doesn't matter if they find anything, only the police can forcibly search you, and even they need good reason / warrant

[@tonyadeney1245]

in UK dont beleive they can forcibly search you - but they might detain if suspicion and call police - who can search you and at that point if youve been stealing you will get arrested - and they are entitled to ban you from coming back best not steal be polite - never heard of anyone falsely being prosecuted because a court would ask for camera evidence - my dad who had early dimensia walked out of a shop with a shirt no idea why then walked back into the shop with the shirt - and was apprehended by security - after a few minutes they realised something wasnt right - and my dad wandered off completely oblivious

[@davidwebb4904]

@@Bullsquid592 and if the police search you, forcibly, and find nothing, then what?

[@MonstaMunch101]

@@davidwebb4904 Then it would depend on whether they had reasonable grounds to search you in the first place. "Reasonable grounds" are loosely defined by law in a way that the police will almost always be able to claim that their grounds were legitimate.

[@WelshPaul]

The thing is though, they won't stop at searching just your carrier bag(s) or trolley. They will want to search any bag you have on your person too. Imagine your wife has a bag on her shoulder containing all her personal hygiene products or an extra pair of knickers because it is her time of month or something? Imagine some dude rummaging through all within a couple of meters of the tills!!! 👀

[@bravobr9725]

Sorry, but I would be telling them to P off ! No company has the right to accuse you of theft unless they have it on camera and can prove it.

[@satans_son666]

All stores should get back to staff scanning your goods on checkouts, self checkout and self scans are quick and easy, but, you are not employed by the store to do their job for them, then they have the cheek to want to check your bags on exit. If the stores can't trust people to do it themselves correctly, then simply get rid of the self scanners and put staff on checkouts again!

[@roberts.wilson1848]

If you self checkout, you are part of the problem. I did it very very very sparingly and I stopped altogether. No! I pay you for your products, that includes YOU scanning the items, YOUR items, I want to buy. If I scan YOUR items, i am in my right to issue you an invoice for my labor time. Quite literally every person should invoice the store for labor time and some should go the extra mile to contact the labor authorities for these things. You are de facto a store worker when you scan the store items.

[@knightsnight5929]

From experience the staff steal more than the customers especially at checkouts, where they work with criminals to miss scan items. Also areas like the deli are wide open for staff fraud.

[@VictorZucchini]

Costco, scans your goods and checks your receipt on the exit. They don’t go through every item, but sort of look if you have huge ticket items in your basket and if they are on your receipt also.

[@63mckenzie]

Sounds like a lot of lawsuits are heading their way.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

The bigger problem is cashiers not doing their job properly when you ask them to remove the security tag from the clothing after payment. I had come across a new security tag that I hadn't seen before. This was a cardboard tag close to the price tag. I went to the security guard who was very polite and courteous after the alarm went off. I showed him my receipt and he sorted out the problem! This reinforces my instance at any checkout to have a paper receipt!

[@Elizabeth-vh6il]

To my mind the store ought to update their systems so the self-service till computer would reliably know when an item's got a security tag on it and could call someone over to remove it prior to us leaving the checkouts.

[@stephenwabaxter]

@@Elizabeth-vh6il I believe it is for the local store management to decide what items of merchandise to tag. Initially it was just bottles of spirits but these day it could be anything over say £5 in value. It's a deterrent but thieves know the various ways to circumvent these systems.

[@lunasmum6869]

Wherever I am, if they ask if I want the receipt, I always say yes. How could one prove a purchase without a receipt? Some places I have been the assistant looks really put out that I want my receipt. I have been asked sometimes if I want my receipt by email! No. I don't. I want my receipt at the point of purchase.

[@rabsmall6243]

Yeah I work store security and frankly I would say in the case of the gates going off in over 90% of cases its a missed tag or the soft tag built into the packaging that did not deactivate followed by door passes or some poor buggers contactless cards, season ticket doing it or the other way to guess if its a woman something in her makeup collection. Its embarrassing when the damm things go off, so you don't need to be a dick about checking the receipt so I try to make it as painless as absolutely possible. Hell if I see you have clothing you just bought I am more interested in making sure you dont have to come back to get the tag removed. Hell barely a couple of days pass at work without me trying to help some poor customer trying to figure out why the gate keeps going off everytime they go through.

[@itwork6810]

If the alarm goes off while walking out, I just carry on walking instead of other customers who stop immediately and look all embarrassed and guilty waiting for staff to come. So funny.

[@noostroi]

My mum has walked into an Aldi, looked for a specific item, found it wasnt available, and immediately walked out, and was asked to have her bag searched. - she hasnt shopped there since. Edit: her handbag searched - she wasn't carrying any shopping bags.

[@bernardm2312]

Did your mum refuse the search? I'm a shameful coward by nature but would be very unhappy if I was asked to submit to a search. I hope I too would be principled and not shop there again.

[@dougaldouglas8842]

Same here, and if everyone did this the shop would change policy. No good to continue with a whinging society, do something constructive. I have received bad service from some shops and never visited them again.

[@highpath4776]

ALWAYS Carry a plastic bag with dog poo in it in the handbag for these stituations (add in a sample for the doctors in a high end fragrance bottle for more fun

[@dougaldouglas8842]

@@highpath4776 Nice one. Just thinking of a mouse trap. They have no right to search your bag, after you are the other side of the checkout. Must do it before, and with permission.

[@odavies5219]

Another brand I gotta boycott. Getting hard to remember them all now.

[@1066gaz]

I remember in the mid 80's when i was a teen, me & my friend got pulled up in a retail shop, and the security accused us of stealing, and wanted to search out carrier bags. We let them search the bags, as we were innocent, and had nothing to hide. They then searched the bags and found nothing, and then we said we want compensation for the stress and inconvenience caused. They agreed to our terms, and said we could have anything up to a certain value in the shop for free, and we did.

[@goodyeoman4534]

I bet that was the tastiest Mars Bar you ever had.

[@Wolfyjinny]

What a steal 🤣

[@garrydeglan754]

Fairs fair, and you got an apology! Much more than Aldi.

[@roberts.wilson1848]

@1066gaz If they accused you of theft, it should've gone a lot higher, with serious compensation from their part large sums of money. False accusations must be punished as much or worse than the crime they make accusations of. And the public-er the situation and exposure, the higher the compensation.

[@TheRealRedAce]

I will never shop in a place with this invasive policy. Actually I don't shop in Aldi anyway, their arrogance has already driven me away to better more customer-serving supermarkets. The problem is if we allow this, where will it end? Will we have any rights or privacy? I'd like to see such policy made illegal, but that is unlikely in broken Britain.

[@SlimTortoise]

Don't come to France then, they do it all the time over here.

[@TheRealRedAce]

@@SlimTortoise That surprises me. French don't normally tolerate or allow such invasion of liberty. That's for us spineless brits.

[@astromags584]

I was in Aldi this morning no one asked to search my bag, but what is concerning is the fact that I was asked if I wanted the receipt for the items I had purchased, if some one says no to the receipt and are then stopped on the way out with no receipt can they then claim that you have stolen the items 🤔 Food for thought, pardon the pun.

[@nelliemelba4967]

Good point, but seeing how there are cameras everywhere in shops, there should be a film evidence that you have gone through the cash out process. Also there will a transaction on the till that corresponds with your purchase at that time.

[@highpath4776]

the till can be set to do a reprint by staff

[@VeryOldSaint]

@@highpath4776 If you don't get a receipt but had used a card, not cash, your Banks app on your phone can instantly show how much you have just paid the store. They can then scan the items and see if the amount matches.

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

The police ask for a lot from a shop these days before proceeding with any arrest. The CCTV isn't there to prove you're innocent but for the shop to prove you are guilty, so they would be supplying that if they believed you had stolen anything. Whilst you could be prosecuted on witness testimony alone, say a staff member saw you taking items and leaving without paying, the case could begin to fall apart if they were obstructive about supplying the footage. Usually the police will want to search the person themselves, unless the items have been discarded. If the shop says they saw him place 6 bottles of bells whiskey in there and behold, there are 6 bottles of bells then jobs a good one. If they however find toilet rolls, a bottle of sprite and a pizza then there's an issue. The police wouldn't suspect those items to be stolen because they don't match description of the property. Simply saying he stole 'stuff' or miscellaneous wouldn't be enough.

[@maximushaughton2404]

There are more cameras watching the tills than the rest of the store, as they do not trust the staff, not to try and pocket some of the money. So If you do not have a receipt, they can always pull up the CCTV of the till and see what you paid for. Also they can pull up the record from the till of what you paid for, if they wanted they could probably pull up your receipt from last month if they really wanted to. Remember it's all data, and there is noughting they like more than data. So not having a receipt is not a problem for stores, it's just a bit more of a pain in the arse for them to track it down.

[@melvynplantmusic]

I had it the other day, felt like a criminal and won’t be going back to ALDI

[@taras6806]

I think it is always such that one feels like a criminal despite being innocent as I assume you were. I would appreciate the rest of the story though - did you go along with it, or leave? I think this will put many off shopping there.

[@melvynplantmusic]

@@taras6806 My wife and I both 65 were asked to look in our bags, we didn't feel right about it but as there was a big queue I just went along with it as I felt all eyes were on us as if we'd stolen goods..I wanted to say no but got the leave it alone look from the wife, but at that point I think we both new we would never return so we just left never to return.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Good, we can all can shop without adult babies with hurt feelings.

[@mrman2415]

​@@snowflakemelter1172 Your comment and username are the most cringe inducing tripe I've seen in my life.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

@@mrman2415 another Snowflake melted .

[@chrisrebar2381]

You do excellent work, and I thank you for that. However, please do not use "self checkouts" as you are enabling the store to reduce their staffing levels!

[@debby705]

I agree, I won't use them as a matter of principle. I feel sorry that staff are reduced due to this system. While on that, I wish people would still use more cash, it will be a sorry business when we are forced to go fully digital

[@valeriegrimshaw1365]

I use the self checkouts and scanners. The staff can get a job somewhere else or otherwise it just gives the government more excuses to flood the UK with cheap labour.

[@eadweard.]

Why would I be against my supermarket reducing its staffing levels?

[@vandit6354]

I hate self-checkouts too, I try not to use them but sometimes there really are just no staffed checkouts anymore.

[@trippinggauntlet4520]

​@@valeriegrimshaw1365so when you've given all the jobs to computers and AI, what are expecting to pay for your food with?

[@UKCM]

The disappearing video or cctv is not just down to stores. There's quite a few Firms/Employers that have this problem I was brought into the office for a chat with the supervisor Apparently I had been seen on CCTV doing a part of my job that was against company policy When asked "Can you show me the footage?" the response was .. "Oh it's been deleted"

[@ScofaUK]

We went shopping at Asda last week for the first time in years, we had 2 trolleys and 4 kids in them, we were followed round by a member security. It was painfully obvious he was memorising what each of us had in our trolleys. After we paid he was at the door and had a final look in our trolleys without stopping us. My partner was shocked by this. We both felt like criminals and we will not be going back anytime soon.

[@HO-bndk]

Ahhh...diddums did the nasty man look in your twolly-wolly, then?

[@moonshinepz]

If this happens to me anywhere they will not be looking in my bag, and I will not be going back there again. And I won't be going any place where I know it happens beforehand. I suspect neither will the shoplifters.

[@yngndrw.]

If it stops the shoplifters from "shopping" there, it has succeeded perfectly in the eyes of the store owners.

[@moonshinepz]

@@yngndrw. very true

[@alisin1dland68]

It won't stop the shop lifting in our area , they just steam in , in numbers , take what they want & leave . The staff are too scared to stop them .

[@moonshinepz]

@@alisin1dland68 my son's pal works in a Bristol co-op, he isn't allowed to stop them.

[@dcocz3908]

Just hand the bags to your under age kid. Bet they can't be searched and especially if they can't read the consent sign

[@michellebaumia5731]

I very calmly let them check my groceries. They found nothing! I walked up to a service desk with my receipt and returned every item I just purchased. What made my experience bad is when they tried to search me i was immediately surrounded by approximately 6 employees and I had not done anything wrong or misleading. I felt intimidated big time and scared. I believe that was their intention. Due to this occurance they lost a valuable customer for life. No one is allowed to treat me in such a fashion. By the way it was a full cart about 300 US dollars worth of merchandise at aldis. It took them tons of time to both do this search and to return all the items.. I realize that people nowadays are stealing more. Values are going out the window! Costs of groceries are going up . Its a wonder more people are not starving to death.

[@galeocean4182]

good for you! I will also avoid them

[@Missdoubletrouble541]

Glad you took the action and returned your goods, and boycotted the store. We all need to take action and stand up for ourselves.

[@fatfreddyscoat7564]

Anybody else think you probably looked as suspicious as possible on purpose just to cause a problem?

[@fanfeck2844]

I’ll keep shopping there as their prices and quality are good

[@NathanTEG]

Returning the products is what i'd do. Well done.

[@taras6806]

Security guards have zero power... except the power to annoy people (unofficial). Very glad you have done a video on this, Daniel, many thanks. I don't know about others but as a normal shopping person I don't wish to feel accused before I have done that I would not do; I think and hope people will avoid these shops and stores. Having acted for people detained by security guards unlawfully I am always interested in the lil' old thing of habeas corpus and wonder what think you?

[@DashCamSheffield]

Incorrect, Security has the same powers as any other member of the public.

[@taras6806]

@@DashCamSheffield ABsolutely. Citizen arrest, nothing more.

[@normalwisdom4048]

​@@DashCamSheffieldonly when an arrestable offence has occurred or is likely to occur

[@snowflakemelter1172]

What do you mean " acted for " ?

[@taras6806]

@@snowflakemelter1172 Been the legal representative of. Standard term.

[@albertplumb7206]

At a local Aldi I opened up my shopping bags in the trolley ready to load and I was asked to lift the bags to prove I wasn't concealing any items. (I am a 76 veteran using a crutch!). I complied and made my feelings known, but it changed my perception of Aldi, which I now avoid as far as possible. Aldi also nearly always asks "do you want the receipt", I now ask for a receipt at all shops as I saw the Utube video of a very elderly woman at the Margate Aldi store accused of shoplifting Aldi's own security video proved her innocence. Very black mark to Aldi. My own small brush with Aldi was some weeks before the Margate incident, so obviously a company policy.

[@margaretgreenwood4243]

Ridiculous when people just run in and out taking stolen goods

[@whoshatwat]

Do you mean stealing goods or taking stolen goods from somewhere?

[@michlyntyres]

I usedto be asecurity officer (store detective), and we had strict rules to follow. It was in an international clothing store. If when we saw a one or two people going ino the fitting room, we would check when they came out, If there was an empty hanger we had a good idea that an item had been stolen. We had to then follow them and not stop them until they reached the street, then we could only attract their attention by voice, "excuse me i am making enquiries about the item you have in your bag." At no time were we allowed to touch them, take or search their bag. If they refused your invitation to return to the store, we followed them in the hopes of seeing a police officer, usually you did because the stores were always in the main shopping area, and in those days a police officer would be patrolling. Where upon they would be either taken back to the store or to a police station. But you had to be pretty certain you were sure of your suspicions. If they did accompany you back to the store, you had to wait for a police officer to arrive and do the search. The reason you waited until they were on the street and walking away from the store is because they could say they wanted to see the colour of the garment in "the light". Other stores would let you know if there were known shoplifters in the area and give a description of what they were wearing. These were the easy ones to track, but when organised gangs arrived, they would cause a disturbance, security would be alerted and whilst dealing with that, he rest of the gang would walk off with a lot of expensive stuff.

[@bretton_woods]

Sounds like the shop missed a trick there - they should have put up signs saying "Please don't steal our clothes". That would surely have stopped them! Similar to your story but with trains, not goods, I see people skipping the barriers all the time (even at London Liverpool Street, a major station). Staff don't stop them, sometimes staff open barriers for ticketless people. Even though there are big signs everywhere warning you about fines. When I questioned a member of staff why they let these people through, they told me they are not legally allowed to stop them! So I told him if that's the case, why does anyone bother buying a ticket? He could not answer that. This country has gone soft. But that said, if I am in a shop minding my own business and someone asks to search my bags, I'd never be going back there! Surely they can check CCTV instead of doing an invasive bag search.

[@samanthahardy9903]

I have seen staff detain people for jumping the barriers and the ones being detained at Sloane Square Station were kicking off stating that they could not legally detain them. The staff were literally holding onto them. Maybe it depends on the area the station is located, if you get my drift!

[@davidreed9671]

I used to detain people jumping barriers until the BT police showed up, an officer of the railway company is legally entitled to do this on railway premises, Section 5 Regulation of Railways Act 1889. Someone once tried to argue in court that a ticket collector was not an officer of the company and could not detain anyone, they lost - Moberly and Alsop Queens Bench 1991- Whether a ticket collector is an "officer" - Judgement Ticket collector is an officer. A London Underground ticket collector was "an officer" of the company for the purposes of detaining a person under section 5(2) of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 who had failed to produce a ticket and refused to supply her name and address. The Queen's Bench Divisional Court so held, dismissing an appeal by way of case stated brought by Sheila Moberly against the dismissal by a Clerkenwell stipendiary magistrate of her private prosecution of an information alleging that the respondent, Simon Alsop, had assaulted her. Section 5 of the 1889 Act provides: "(2) If a passenger having failed either to produce … a ticket showing that his fare is paid, or to pay his fare, refuses on request by an officer or servant of a railway company, to give his name and address, any officer of the company or any constable may detain him.

[@samanthahardy9903]

@@davidreed9671 That's interesting! I never knew that! Thanks for the info!

[@shendisackett]

My Mum worked in a jewellers as a watchmaker and she told me that the businesses all had a linked (I assume radio) system so that every business would know if shoplifters were about and what they looked like. I have never worked in the retail environment so had no clue that shops were communicating like that. It makes a lot of sense though as it gives security guards a better chance of catching them if every shop is acting as look out.

[@rocket3man]

I experienced a request from the cashier at Aldi Rugby to show my empty shopping bags before she started the check out process. I was taken back by this request and complied, however I have now stopped shopping at Aldi.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Must have been terrible for you, have you had counselling?

[@MyFullers]

@@snowflakemelter1172 im sure your the type of person that enjoys being frisked and searched, but for non criminals to be treated like they are, is invasive based on no evidence.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

@@MyFullers you made up " frisked and searched " though, no store has demanded that, only a check that shopping bags are empty.

[@MyFullers]

@@snowflakemelter1172 otherwise known as searched

[@MyFullers]

@@snowflakemelter1172 otherwise known as being searched

[@karlnorman2427]

Definitely makes you feel criminalised. Don't shop there anymore.

[@rlsailors7007]

Most supermarkets treat customers badly. Last time I was harassed by a security, simply for shopping in broad daylight, I tried explaining to a supervisor that I was only there to spend money. He didn't grasp the concept.

[@gordonemery6949]

I heard Sainsbury's inflate prises by 20% to cover shoplifting ?

[@rlsailors7007]

@@gordonemery6949 Well do something about the shoplifting (a lot of it is the staff) & leave the rest of us alone.

[@timg6252]

Allowing stores to search is a slippery slope. It shows a presumption of guilt. There is already a working mechanism in place. If the store thinks you are shop lifting they can arrest and detain you, using reasonable force. The onus is on the shop to form the reasonable belief. If they can't do that they have no right to even stop you to ask. Asking to search someone is not reasonable in any circumstance short of having a reasonable belief they are stealing something, and here we are back at the existing mechanism.

[@EdOeuna]

The shop can’t arrest you or even detain you.

[@VictheSecret]

@@EdOeunaDid you even listen to BBB? A shop certainly can detain someone suspected of shoplifting until police arrive to make a search.

[@onlybugwit]

​@@VictheSecretbut NOT arrest

[@kesgraveklaxon5586]

he's not interested in the slippery slope. like most legal sharks he's a teachers pet. he cares nothing for truth or democracy, don't forget that or you will get sucked in to believing the law is fair and just when it is not, never has been and there is no intention that it should be.

[@VictheSecret]

@@onlybugwit Semantics. The act of detention is an arrest.

[@leswatson8563]

I just wonder if this would be happening if we still had an effective Police Service? And a court system that actually punished those properly when found guilty as charged for a crime? Seems to me as if the police and the courts are only too happy to let stores claim for losses on their insurance policies, even when there is good quality CCT footage of the usual people doing the same thing?

[@BruceLauderdale]

I agree, I know it’s a tangent to this subject but I heard from someone who works at a fuel filling station and the police will no longer come out for fill and runs If the fuel is less than £100. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SGz_Eliminated]

The inept police force is exactly why shoplifting has become rampant, people have realised they can just get away with it and there's no consequences. In most situations the theft goes undetected and even when detected most shops won't detain you but even if they do it's likely the police won't show up and they inevitably release you anyway or absolute worst case is police do show up and you're forced to relinquish the stolen goods and then you're on your merry way without so much as a fine.

[@Chris-iu7in]

They have those pumps where you have to put your card in first then charges you when you finishing filling, don't understand why they don't all have these.

[@rogershore3128]

I think the only way that's going to happen is if you beam on to the Enterprise and Spock is sporting a beard...

[@colinpotter7764]

@@SGz_Eliminated quite correct, there should be at least two police officers in every shop in the country.

[@medwayhospitalprotest]

If I could afford to shop elsewhere I would never go to ALDI ever again, after the embarrassment caused to me in their shop. Don't think for a minute it is random, they profile everyone - disabled and elderly, parents with pushchairs - all have places to hide shoplifting so attract their attention. Next they will assess who they think looks poor enough to be stealing. I hate going in there now.

[@Raggy60]

I think I would object but let them do it under duress then tell them I don't want the goods anymore and demand a refund.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Im sure they would very politely point you in the direction of the refunds counter, hopefully there won't be a long queue !

[@annakarenina3188]

As a female, with significant health issues of a personal nature requiring me to carry personal items, and where I also carry three different controlled prescription medicines at all times... I would hate having my bag searched (beyond a quick look at venues for weapons etc).

[@wyvernmodelrailway]

In this case you should carry your medicines on your person or handbag. I don't think there is any suggestion that they would want to do a personal search, and in any case they cannot do that in front of other customers or in any way to embarrass.

[@annakarenina3188]

@@wyvernmodelrailway thank you. It's a lot of meds I have to take in a day (more than a pocket full -- small woman, small pockets). Recently they added in oramorph and tamoxifen; there may be a chemo med in future... Therefore, and also due to (many reasons), I'm also carrying around important letters about my cancer diagnosis. The personal female items includes a medical numbing cream for the area where the cancer is, plus clean inserts for my bra due to the nature of my cancer. A large sanitary pad, changes of underwear. And as stated now carrying oramorph... So as you can probably understand, all this would be very embarrassing to have searched, especially for a woman in the age 35-45 bracket. But yes, ideally, carrying everything on my person would be much better, if I could. Thank you.

[@Diamondphobe]

@@annakarenina3188 Best wishes for a speedy recovery. :)

[@georgepage3454]

Strange how you'd be concerned about checking if your trolley bags are empty before starting checkout, but not so concerned to post a detailed account about your medical condition online in a public chat 🤔

[@sonycans]

What is the difference between people searching you than your significant other as the only difference I see is the gender. For very personal reasons, I do not like to be searched or have my bags searched. They can only be searched by the police and that is not under consent. usually, the police queries you to firstly weight up the situation if they have grounds to search, however that is mostly get your consent. As I don't shoplift, they will be informed of their legal obligations as that should there be nothing found and I am being detained, they will charged for false imprisonment and I will take civil action against the store in question.

[@stuartb4525]

Do these stores really think that shoplifting persons actually use the check outs, manned or self service in the many cases?

[@carolzippel5021]

Oh yea. They scan it as another item etc. You have an item needs to be weighed such as papaya and scan s bananas. Happens a lot. The amount of shoplifting going on right now has meant some supermarkets have left certain cities because it has gotten so bad.

[@sonyasmith1991]

Exactly!!

[@bordersw1239]

They almost always buy something.

[@stuartb4525]

@@bordersw1239 Personally I don't know, but even if they did, if now this type of looking or searching is normal, the last place they will put a stolen item in their own bag. It's counter productive. As the security if in the store, can't watch everyone. So just stick stuff in there jackets or whatever, as no way is a cashier going to asking you to strip off. So in 99.9% of cases they are looking at the wrong people or in the wrong place.

[@pam164]

They sometimes only scan half the stuff through so yes it does happen on self service tills.

[@dukethenuke8426]

“If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear”. This is a very dangerous path we have walked down before

[@hachwarwickshire292]

Old Gestapo saying 😊

[@crinolynneendymion8755]

And wrong - a real thief may have dropped something in your bag with the intention of retrieving after you exit. You may have left something in your bag from a previous visit, a previous store. In short, there are several circumstances where your bag might contain an item the store would claim was theirs. Second, the attitude and demeanour of store security is... hardly sympathetic; they have already made their mind up and are seeking to validate their pre-determined position; humans are very good at. Further, the honesty of the shop's security is an issue; how do I know they don't like the colour of my skin, my accent, or whatever and they "find" something. And I quote, "it's amazing how 30 minutes of CCTV disappears", thus proving the dishonesty of the Store itself.

[@benwillis5840]

1:01: Aldi: We refuse to serve customers if you don't comply to be searched. Shoplifters walking out with whatever they want: Done

[@truefoa]

Beeper bars going off on exit. Seen this loads of times and it's normally all very amicable in a bag search. Unless there are reasonable grounds I would say no. I once went into Boots looking for rubbing alcohol ( isopropyl ), asked a member of staff for it and she immediately became flustered and said 'we don't sell any alcohol'. I tried to explain, but she persisted. I said 'well you sell surgical spirit don't you', side stepped her and went to pharmacy to ask there. She still persisted, went ahead and spoke to pharmacist first. They didn't stock it, but that's the kind of mentally you get in some placers and now tell them you can search bags, it's only going to create chaos, again. This country is getting out of hand.

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

An indication from a beeper on the way out of the store still isn't enough grounds to arrest someone or forcibly search them. Most people will volunteer.

[@truefoa]

@@homeoftheinepttulpagamer amicable adjective characterized by friendliness and absence of discord.

[@martyndawson7484]

They sell alcoholic gripe water.

[@philipc4272]

I once overheard a staff member in Boots approach a couple of young guys - maybe 16 or so - who were looking at condoms, and tell them that you couldn't buy them if you were under 18! I couldn't believe my ears! I made a complaint via email and they asked for my number so the manager could contact me, but they never called me.

[@joedomican2286]

I work on the tills and self service tills ( not at Aldi ) and the amount of stealing is absolutely unbelievable. People who look so honest just stealing away. However so many staff have been sacked now and "real" tills removed it's not really that surprising that bad people are now just stealing at will. So mixed feelings on this one.

[@pp1735]

I knew a girl that worked at the counter in spar .. she gave me a kind of nod to look around at the person in the queue. I was shocked to see a well dressed sophisticated lady stuffing bars of chocolate in her bag. It goes to show the ones that look respectable are also at it

[@debatable1984]

Bad people will always steal, doesn't mean you should treat everyone as thief to increase your chances of catching a thief

[@bobsmudger3979]

​@debatable1984 On the contrary, it actually means they do because; as with everything else in life its the majority who always cop it on behalf of the minority.

[@davidwebb4904]

Have you seen the shoplifting in the US recently, particularly California. Its actually illegal to stop them.

[@JerryWalker001]

And a lot of people are robbed in the street but that does not mean that we should all be searched every time we leave the house.

[@troji735]

I've worked security for over 20 years and would never stop someone unless i was 100% sure they had taken something and if a shop staff member saw them i would get them to stop the person and i would assist

[@honeybadger9425]

You shouldn’t really encourage the non security staff to stop people they are not trained or paid enough to deal with people waiting in car park outside for revenge etc which I have seen happen a few times.

[@jamingaming9251]

@@honeybadger9425 if he detains someone because another member of staff said they might of seen something then he'd be detaining them without grounds. That would make him liable to a lawsuit. The staff should alert security so they can check the cameras and get grounds to detain someone.

[@takesallkinds22]

I was asked at Aldi to check my bags, but this was at the till, before bagging my shopping. I was quite taken aback and said oh! why? No one has asked to check my bag before. She said they had been doing it for a few months now. I let her and thought to myself, they must have had a rise in thefts, as items were rising weekly... it doesn't surprise me.

[@TheSadButMadLad]

Before a shop can search your property they need grounds to suspect a crime and then common law kicks in. To be able to suspect a crime they must have observed suspicious behaviour by following the SCONE process.

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

Shops shouldn't be forcibly searching you for property even if you have committed an offence. They don't have any more powers than you or I to do so, they can ask sure but you'd be perfectly entitled to wait for the police. Why would someone hand over their belongings to a stranger, particularly if they have accused you of something? If they don't find what they are looking for and have therefore falsely arrested you, it would be tempting to make sure they hadn't. If you get my drift. Let the police do the searching.

[@goodyeoman4534]

That's the thing they hide behind, "suspicious behaviour". For me it was because I did two loops round the store before buying something in M&S. And the fact that I was wearing "suspicious" clothes (green ambulance service trousers, black hiking coat).

[@Naeron66]

Or they simply have clear signage stating their policy as a requirement to enter their store.

[@rogerchadwick3452]

Wrong NOBODY has the power of search, except a POLICE OFFICER.

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

@@Naeron66 a policy doesn't over ride your rights. they could ask for a voluntary search but you could say no and walk away and unless there is a crime committed, not suspicion of a crime, then they cannot lawfully arrest you and certainly not forcibly search you. they could of course ban you from the store and treat you as a trespasser in the future. at the same time though gdpr prevents them from acquiring your name or personal details from other agencies unless they are prosecuting you for something. a lot of big stores have facial recognition now (you can see it in supermarkets on the security monitors as they put red/green boxes around people's faces) so they might use that however to ban you from their other stores. it would still be a stretch to demand a search and I'm such circumstances write and request a copy of the information they hold on you, footage and so on at the time you were stopped.

[@taras6806]

I agree with those who say they will not go to stores in which bags are searched when there are other places in which this won't happen. I see the point of view of the stores but to be subjected to what is essentially indignity is not inviting. Perhaps the time will come when all stores do it and we have no choice (and probably do online shopping only). I think it is probably commercially unwise; the stores will, IMHO, put off more potentially well-spending shoppers than they will thieves (in terms of monetary value). We expect it at an airport, as an obvious example, but do not expect or want it in stores. Perhaps it is an indication of how this country is going.... Sigh.

[@zantas-handle]

Perhaps if we all just comply, then the supermarkets will be able to sack ALL the staff and have ONLY Self-Service, It's nice to know that being treated like a criminal and delayed by a search could at least ensure that more staff end up losing their jobs. Soopah.

[@brunosmith6925]

I really don't care if Aldi refuses to serve me, because 20 years ago I made the decision to refuse to shop there (as should any civilised person)

[@delta710]

At my local branch of Morrisons they have introduced cameras with what I would describe as a tablet facing you showing you a live image of your face at a distance of around 2ft (basically a full face image). I found this disturbing as there was (to my knowledge) no prior warnings of this about to happen. I am all for shops catching people stealing but this was at such close approximately it had me feel intimated as if I was a shoplifter, as it is there premises I suspect they are allowed to do this and it's a case of if you don't like it you can shop somewhere else but surely they can't just stick a camera (basically) in your face at such a short distance, not to forget displaying your face at you. I know there are some shops which show you on a screen walking in but this is intimatating to say the least, is there not a law as to how close a camera can be from your face - and addionally show your face publicly on a screen. To add I am stood at a check out paying for my shopping. Personally as you will have gathered I think this should be illegal, I felt as though I was in China, what next a full body scan?

[@notpoliticallycorrect1303]

People will take umbrage at being targeted,labelled or perceived as a shoplifter, along with suffering the indignity of what many will see as being humiliated in front of other shoppers.I can see people leaving their shopping in the trolley, just walking out and never returning,probably while flying a few f**ks in the air😊.

[@Seven-poet-poetry]

If my sense of integrity is violated, and I am already upset before entering a store, it wouldn't make sense for me to shop there. Therefore, I would choose to shop elsewhere or go somewhere that makes me feel respected.

[@FasterLower]

Question: supermarket car parks often have time limits and hefty fines for exceeding them. So consider this: I say no to a search, am detained by supermarket and wait for the Police to arrive. This will be unlikely to be prompt. Police check my bag and all is OK. I have now exceeeded my time in the car park as they (supermarket) have detailed me. What happens with the parking fine?

[@Westhamsterdam]

You can sue for unlawful imprisonment. The key is not to go willingly otherwise you haven´t got a case "wait for the Police to arrive. This will be unlikely to be prompt" That bad, eh? Someone reported me for not wearing a face mask properly in a supermarket in Spain, the police were there in 2 minutes (I shit you not)!

[@snowflakemelter1172]

​@@Westhamsterdamyoutube lawyer

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

You would have to consider this. Did you volunteer to stay with the security staff? If they asked you to wait or didn't prevent you from leaving or say outright that you were under arrest then it's very unlikely you can make a claim. At this point it's not different from being late because you were discussing the price of fish with an old lady in the street, you volunteered. If the shop says you are detained then enquire if that means you are obliged to stay with them and if you are under arrest. If they say 'yes' then you could well claim for expenses and your time, even so, it would be a good idea to record this on your phone etc - they are not permitted to prevent you from recording no matter what policies they have. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Why am I being arrested? Am I free to go? What will you do if I leave? What have I done? Who are you? All this information could be useful in making a claim.

[@FasterLower]

@@homeoftheinepttulpagamer Many thanks for the very clear comments. It is greatly appreciated.

[@LifeofBrad1]

I go down to my local ASDA on my e-bike and do a week's worth of shopping (I don't have any kids, so I'm only shopping for myself). I use one of those big takeaway delivery backpacks to carry it home and I put all the items in a certain order so it all fits in nicely. If they want to search me, I will make them put everything back in the backpack in the specific order I packed them. After a while, I assume they'd see me enter and go "Oh, it's delivery backpack guy again. Don't search him, he makes you put his shopping back in a specific order". Whenever it comes to stuff like this, you have to make their jobs as tedious as possible to the point where they don't want to carry on doing it.

[@anthonybragg]

At Aldi in one of the Northampton stores they wanted me to put my shopping bags on the conveyer belt so that they could check they were empty. I had been shopping there for a few years by then. the bags were open in the trolly and could be seen empty I refused as I felt that I was being accused of being dishonest so I walked out leaving all the products behind and got all the shopping from Tesco (I was going there also) wasn't asked again when I have been back.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

So you helped make it impossible for the store to take reasonable security measures, how selfish, obviously society is only about you .

[@anthonybragg]

@@snowflakemelter1172 They could see that there was nothing in the bags also the store has CCTV and a plain-clothed security guard it was the attitude of being caused of being dishonest I even proved the point that I held the bags upside down.

[@Beckiner67]

@@snowflakemelter1172 we all know he wasn’t being selfish. (Anthonybragg) What an attitude you have 🙄😞

[@snowflakemelter1172]

@@Beckiner67 everyone has to cooperate in society not just demand their rights all the time.

[@Beckiner67]

@@snowflakemelter1172 hi, We have rights and we should expect them to be respected. But i think maybe it’s how these searches are carried out. Are they carried out with respect and consideration for the shopper. What sort of attitude does the security guard have. Is aggressive or not. I think we have a mixture of comments on here that demonstrate that some guards are aggressive. Having said that they get paid a pittance and have a difficult job sometimes. Edited grammer.

[@techno-phobe3000]

At my local Tesco, Yankee Candles and steak are notorious for setting off the alarm and embarassing me on my way out! The security guard knows me by sight now, the first thing he usualy says is "Candle?". We always have a laugh and a moan about the tags not deactivating, at least he's one of the nice ones! 😂👍

[@hypersampers6681]

Shop security guards target customers who are easy pickings, see it all the time. The real blatant shop lifters they ignore

[@tomalex4806]

As someone who has worked in retail security I can confirm what you said is a load of bullsh*t 👍

[@snowflakemelter1172]

You made that up though.

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

That makes no sense whatsoever. The security guards you see are mostly a deterrent, shops wouldnt utilize guards who hassle ordinary customers. There is a caveat though. When I used to be a security guard if we had store detectives in the shop then we'd stay out of the way and let them do their job and so not follow or nosey about, catch the thief red handed. It might seem weird to the other customers when you stand at the door as the most blatant shoplifter ever walks in with their foil bag and furtive demeanor but in those circumstances we want them to try it because they will get caught instead of playing cat and mouse with the 50 other shops on the high street. Otherwise, we were there to put them off and follow them about until they go elsewhere.

[@madyottoyotto3055]

I think this is a discriminatory practice I have a DISABILITY of dyspraxia In short in relation to this Looking smart or owned so to speak is NEVER GOING HAPPEN I accept this But I look like a thief to most The equality act alone states that you can't be penalised for having a disability Search me if innocent is penalisation

[@robertscotton5882]

When I first moved to France, I was shocked by a random policy to search bags. 10 years later, it still rankles. Some shops are worse than others. So I'm selective, obviously.

[@johnswarbrick2365]

I have just written to Aldi head office in Atherstone. Loads of directors registered by the way all boasting their credentials and not one with retail experience. To me Aldi has lost its way. The quality has fallen over the years. My experience from last week - potatoes so full of black frost damage that half was thrown away, eggs that float ie not fresh, cooked meats especially ham that smells, green veg and bread that doesn't keep, grapes that have brown "rotten" bits on them, tomatoes that have "fungus" on them etc etc etc. No good taking them back to the store when I next shop only to be told I should have returned them earlier. Waiting for Aldi to answer my letter - probably telling me of the "supermarket awards" they have won. A bag search at Aldi Coventry was embarrassing and I felt personal.

[@taras6806]

But you can see the fruit and veg you are buying.... surely avoid the black.rotten/fungusy ones? Anyway, I wouldn't hold your breath for a helpful response.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Victor Meldrew. 😂

[@simonrichards6739]

As an avid model maker I was alerted by a FB model group that Aldi were selling cheap Airfix kits, I was stopped by security who wanted to see a receipt as it wasn’t in a bag. I was extremely embarrassed. If I was going to steal something it wouldn’t be a 1/72 scale Spitfire for £4.99

[@tomvalentine4928]

Daylight robbery. In my day it would have been two bob.

[@Mezeskex]

People unfortunately steal anything these days. Let it be 99p or £4.99. Meat, chocolate, toys doesn't matter.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Why would you be embarrassed about the security staff just doing their job ?

[@mcdon2401]

My local Lidl has people stealing parts of items out of the boxes, so I'm sure they'd pinch an AirFix kit too, if they thought they could get away with it.

[@andybrown4284]

The receipt should always be given to the customer and not the way things are now where you need to ask for the slip that might have text on it if the machine worked properly. In any case they should go to the till and ask the cashier.

[@BettyDuguid]

They wouldn't get the chance of refusing to serve me. If someone asks to search me I would just leave the shopping and leave the building, never to return. And if they tried to detain me I would phone a lawyer to gear up for unlawfull detainment and or slander

[@lunamonkey]

They just ask to look in your empty shopping bags. It's not a full on search.

[@BettyDuguid]

@@lunamonkey . It's the implication of being a shoplifter that would make me walk. My cash will be spent where I am trusted.

[@crotchet1586]

BBB It would be interesting to hear you thoughts on the latest trend in asking customers if they want their reciept and how this affects a customers statutory rights? If the stores policy is to ask a customer if they want their receipt but also has a policy of no refund without a receipt etc, shouldnt they remind the customer at the point that they ask if a receipt is wanted?

[@tambias]

At the tills in Aldi i have to ask for the till receipt as they seem that they dont want to give you now.I said to the teller i did not want to suffer the indignation of being accused of shoplifting out of Aldi.Didn’t realise it was actually happening

[@derekmillar5407]

That also means if you have done nothing wrong you can use reasonable force to get the security guard away from you. 😂✌

[@Yorkie900]

I shop at aldi occasionally and it's happened to me. Interestingly it did bother me. It made me annoyed that they were implying I might have been stealing goods. Of course I consented to my own bags being searched just to get out of the shop before I suffered any more embarrassment. What would happen if I then said I didn't want the goods now?

[@Sabre_Wulf1]

I simply will not shop anywhere that asks for this. They don't get my custom. If they have people stealing, it's for them to sort out. Not my problem. I'm not being frisked for a shop. Plenty of other shops that will take my business.

[@ChocolateTampon]

My mother in law was once stopped by security at Asda for setting the alarm off ON HER WAY INTO the store. She was detained by security, bag searched and it turned out it was previously bought makeup she had in her bag which must have had a security tag on it and was unaware. She got a nice little payout after reporting false imprisonment etc.

[@roberts.wilson1848]

As it should be. I buy at Lidl. pants, whatever. Some of the jeans had still one of those alarm tags and every time i entered any Lidl, it would start the alarms. And upon exit. At first the guards would be alerted, but recently they just ignore it as they know the stupid tags hidden god knows where, and cashiers don't have time to search for them.

[@utrinqueparatus4617]

I had a weird experience at Tesco when returning to the store to exchange some clothing that was the wrong size. Having left the store without incident, when originally buying, on going through the entrance barrier the security alarm was activated. The tag was there, but didn't operate first time.

[@MrStaffy01]

same thing happened to my wife at tesco, with a completely uneducated (agency) security officer whom didnt have even the basic knowledge of his purported authority to stop us both as we were leaving the store holding hands as we always are, and to not only to DEMAND he looks inside my wifes handbag and search it but to actualy attempt to demand to do a patdown search of the pair of us after the scanner going off as we exited... folloing it sounding as we also entered..the same security being on the door when we entered saying to us its ok your coming in not going out. needless to say it was not in any way going to happen. complaint to tesco chief exec office, invited to store for appology after checking cctv and body cam, flowers delivered to my wife at home address, and twelve bottles of favourite wine delivered also. none of that requested as we were simply going to take them to court, but it was sufficient with the added knowledge that they removed the uneducated security officer from working at any of their stores knowing he would not be in a position to do that to any other person. it was apparently a security tag on the bottom of a lipstick that she purchased several days previously but had failed to go off prior.

[@HO-bndk]

As if that actually happened. In reality, beep sounds, store employee goes over and sees that it's something else tripping the alarm. End of story. None of this "detained by security" or "false imprisonment" lawsuit nonsense.

[@ChocolateTampon]

@@HO-bndk I didn't realise you were there at the time. Security were on a power trip and physically escorted her to an office to search her stuff. Security CAN detain people if they have reasonable grounds that a criminal offence has been committed. They have no more powers than you and I, they use a citizens arrest, or an "arrest without warrant" as it's now called. A civil claim was made and she received a couple of grand settlement. I'm not sure if it was ASDA or the security company that paid out.

[@RonSeymour1]

If you go to a self-scan checkout then you will be subject to the odd bag check. Even then, they only check a sample. However, there is a difference because at that point you haven't paid and the goods are not yours. If you refuse they can take all the items back and refuse you service. My view is that even if they find an item that hadn't been scanned I doubt that they could do anything other than ban you. After all, you haven't paid or attempted to leave the store. It may well be the case that you check the bag against the receipt before you leave, as I have sometimes done, just to be on the safe side. On the other hand, if I had paid and was stopped when leaving, I would politely tell them no, they are not going to search me.

[@jbellfield]

They selected our full trolley for a re-scan after using the hand held scanner, was taking ages so we walked out. They have screens in the meat aisle too now, and one way electronic gates to get in. It's just getting more and more unpleasant to shop since they took most of the checkout staff away. All this "for our community" bs would mean something if they stopped replacing jobs with machines and treating their customers like convicts.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Shoplifting is going crazy because they know the stores are frightened of being sued , customers that refuse to help the security and get all indignant just made this worse.

[@sp-1973]

@@icouldbewrongicouldberight people's! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@janegreen9340]

Many many moons ago a friend worked in the old Kwiksave ( pile ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap), the local shoplifters were occasionally caught loading a full (unpaid for) trolley into a taxi, another had a coat of many inside pockets full of packs of bacon. Some great stories but the other customers ultimately end up paying. It’s embarrassing when the shop neglects to remove the security tag and the alarm goes off as you (yes me) goes out of the door.

[@pauldean8638]

Well here’s a lesson for Aldi , if they detain you because they want to check your bag , ask them “are you detaining me if I say no “ if they say yes then wait for the police . Show you’ve stolen absolute nothing and sue them for wrongful detention. It’s on the company to be alert to thieves and to detain shop lifters , not stop joe average because there security guards can’t do there jobs

[@VeganWorld-rw9bk]

Shopping in any of the supermarkets that cause a great deal of stress, accusation, humiliation, and invasion of a privacy is not worth it. Aldi and Lidle have these polices in place.

[@justlooking3572]

I've never stole in my life and I won't even let the cheeky bar stewards check my receipt on the way out, its my receipt and my own personal private property, subject to GDPR and if they want to look they can apply for a warrant, but Im not hanging about either. Believe me I'll sue the ar5e off them if they detain me.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Budget at least £10,000 in legal fees, much more if you go to court and need a barrister.

[@justlooking3572]

@@jjefferyworboys8138 only if i lost and i wouldn't would I?

[@homeoftheinepttulpagamer]

If they criminally assault you to force a search or arrest you then it is them who would be needing a barrister. I couldn't imagine a situation where a security guard would go hands on, with no evidence of an offence, to arrest someone because they wouldn't give them the receipt or check their bags.

[@raylv6962]

A tiny percent of the population shoplift, with the vast majority being honest and decent. When I now go into Aldi, I'm assumed guilty of stealing until I'm found innocent by the staff who search my bags.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Nonsense.

[@TigerP1]

What concerns me is the huge opportunity for abuse by people with nothing to do with the shop. All you need is an official looking badge and a blazer and you can distract and intimidate some poor insecure person for pickpockets and worse.

[@eadweard.]

Is a fake security guard really a genuine concern? Sounds more like the plot of a blue movie.

[@caphowdy666]

Yeah what a huge opportunity. Security guards in supermarkets have been a thing for decades, so why should this suddenly change? Pickpockets want to be as subtle as possible, not draw attention to themselves by coming up with some overly elaborate ruse. Do you think people will also start dressing up as policemen to come rob your house?

[@lightersideofdark7747]

They can ask for your permission to search your bags but even with your permission to search they can't put their hands inside your bag's. I used to be a security guard, not in shops though. I worked at sporting events and music festivals/gigs. This was a few years ago now and when we searched people coming in we were not allowed to put hands in bags, although we could ask the customer to move things around or take items out the bag while you looked in.

[@clairelane3024]

Aldis bag search is just to make sure your shopping bags are empty before they start scanning your items. They literally peer in / feel empty and that's it.

[@dcocz3908]

At the supermarket I worked at while studying they would regularly have employee security checks, bag searches and pocket content shown. When it came to customers, even those they thought had taken something would often get away with it. The manager said you had to be absolutely 100% sure they'd taken something

[@stevenhodgson834]

And the shoplifters know it! That's why they dodge staff, put items down as decoys, pass items between members of the gang, and other tactics to build in enough doubt to make an arrest without warrant too risky for the shops.

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Stopped shopping at Aldi and lidi 2 years ago on the grounds that their security guards appear to be trained to harass any person that looks like me.

[@DystopianUtopia]

What do you look like?

[@sp-1973]

🤣🤣🤣

[@stephenwabaxter]

It seems like this is some kind of trial that Aldi are running. It might have an impact on store theft (what is known as shrinkage) and equally on the customer experience. They will need to weigh up the costs of resourcing the searches, reduction in shrinkage and customer feedback. If a significant percentage of customers start shopping elsewhere it could be a costly mistake.

[@MrStaffy01]

completely disagree with you on this item. i am to allow a security officer with neither law or appropriate consumer law training (other than an sia course) from which none seem to show any form of education or retention from to search either my own or my wifes personal items i/e shopping bag to see if they or myself have been stealing from their store with absolutely neither proof or even suspicion that any offences have been committed ? at least in america where this process was thought up and came from the store attempts to justify this by stating it is to ensure that you have not been overcharged by a staff member, and the public should simply allow and agree with no objection is completely offensive. stores will be losing customers as a result and the police will be virtualy living at the stores as a result of people refusing.

[@jerrygeorgopolis8015]

BBB, Interesting to hear how some shops there handle possible shoplifting. Unlike here in the states in certain cities, like in California, Do Not Prevent Any Form of Shoplifting ! Unbelievable to watch literally hundreds of dollars of items, put into garbage bags, or other carriers , and Run Out the Front Entrance without Paying !!! Here in the U.S. some business's don't care because of insurance coverage. However, it's the paying customer Who Pays More in the end. Thanks for the video !!

[@stuartfountain9929]

And a woke Attorney General who won’t prosecute anyone stealing less than $1000.00 worth of goods, see how the big stores have pulled out of the cities! Downtown San Fran is like a third world country

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

The issue with relying on insurance is that insurance is a risk/reward system. If the risk of insuring a business is too high, no company will insure them because the potential for profit is too low. What happens then? The lack of insurance cover will force the shop owners to take matters into their own hands.

[@Westhamsterdam]

@@madMARTYNmarsh1981 Then U.S. shoppers wonder why the prices of items are skyrocketing!

[@EdOeuna]

And that’s why the USA is going down the toilet.

[@sueb3747]

My local store, who have just had self service checkouts installed, are now asking to search your bag before you start scanning your items. probably do have a lot of theft but they should use cctv to watch shoppers and ask people they suspect.That is what a store detective does. Probably trying to save money by not paying a store detective.

[@redking8585]

I understand why they do it, but at the same time I hate being treated like I'm not trustworthy specially by shady corporations who themselves aren't trust worthy. Whether I would submit to a search depends on the situation. If I did not submit to a search it would be with the intention of sueing for false imprisonment.

[@elliotoliver8679]

yer, let us know how that goes..........as if