Tesco customers spot major change to stores that makes shopping take longer in latest crackdown bid
TESCO customers have spotted a major change to stores that makes shopping take longer.
The supermarket giant Tesco has sparked confusion among shoppers after rolling out a new high-tech security system to crack down on alcohol theft.
Customers have been left puzzled after noticing that in select stores bottles of booze are now being kept behind locked glass doors that only open after a short countdown.
The system was spotted by a shopper at the Tesco Extra in Fforestfach, Swansea, who said they needed to press a touchscreen to request access to spirits and wines.
It's unclear how many stores have the new measures in place but they have been spotted in England too, with shops in Purley and Croydon, south London also under restriction.
Once activated, the screen starts a countdown before unlocking the cabinet doors.
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The customer told : “I presume it’s to try and stop people stealing stuff, but I’m not quite sure how it stops them completely.
“You just have to wait a few moments before you can open the door — maybe they’re watching you on CCTV to stop anyone slipping a bottle under their coat.”
A video posted online shows the screen instructing customers: “Hello. The cabinet is locked for security reasons. Please tap the arrow below for access.”
Once tapped, a voice says: “Thank you for your patience, the cabinet door will open shortly. Thank you for shopping with Tesco.”
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Although many have criticised the device for adding minutes to their shopping experience, some say the system is a smart move.
One shopper commented: “Camera just above it. Uses facial recognition software to prevent loss. Signs on way in.”
Another added: “If the door stays open for a few seconds or more, security are alerted.
"Shelves are ‘weighted’ so Tesco knows what bottle has just been removed. Also checks door is closed. For pricey alcohol only cabinets.”
This isn't the first time the retailer has opted for tighter security measures.
Earlier this year, Tesco installed anti-shoplifting plastic strips to shoo away criminals.
Shoplifting in numbers - how thieves are crippling Britain
Startling crime figures lay bare the anarchic crime wave blighting the nation’s high streets.
Police recorded 339,206 shoplifting incidents in the 12 months to March, yet the British Retail Consortium estimates the total number of retail thefts to be close to eight million.
Just 48,218 shoplifting cases recorded by the police, a derisory 14 per cent, resulted in a charge.
And 183,450 investigations — 54 per cent — were closed without a suspect being identified.
The BRC say retail theft rose by 26 per cent in England and Wales last year.
Bosses greenlit the contraptions which sit loosely in front of the store products and can slide from side to side freely if punters want to grab the item.
But shoppers have laughed off the appliance's effect and questioned how the item would swat away would-be thieves.
A TikTok clip showing how the device works attracted sharp criticism from viewers.
"How does this stop shoplifting?" one person asked.
A second queried: "So you can slide it over and get what you need. So how is going to stop shop lifters?"
A third weighed in: "Thieves don't care, they'll just break them off or take longer to take things.
"Doesn't matter whether barriers, gates, these, tags. They'll steal if they want to steal."
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But others swooped in to defend the approach.
Tesco has been approached for comment.
Supermarkets' latest security measures
- Co-op puts £6 lamb chops in locked GPS-tracked cases to deter shoplifters in latest supermarket crackdown
- Sainsbury's has installed a new camera which records customers packing their shopping
- Tesco has installed anti-shoplifting plastic strips on certain items to shoo away criminals
- Tesco have put some products such as spam inside plastic cases