Assaulted by Tesco's security guards.

jasper77

Hi all, I would like to share the story of what happened to my brother on the 23.01.10 when he went to do his daily shopping at Tesco.

Basically, on Sat. 23.01.10 my brother went shopping at the local Tesco in Ealing Broadway shopping centre. After he paid, he moved to the side and started putting his shopping (only few bits and bobs) into his rucksack as it was going to work. In this moment suddenly one of the security guards approached him and without introducing himself or saying anything such as: (Hi, I am a security guard in this shop and...) something like any normal person will say, his first words were: "Do you speak English?" (By the way the man himself had a bad English) any way so my brother said "Yes", then his next words: "I need to look into your bag!"
My brother started to take everything out the bag, and after few items the man said “That’s enough” and he went. All this happened so quickly so my brother was actually shocked as he, or anybody he knows or I know has never ever seen or heard before that a Tesco store security guard has got the authority to ‘Stop and search’ inside the shop.
Remember this is BEFORE THE EXIT (BEEPER), this is inside the very shop, just few feet from the till straight after he paid.
Obviously the man thought that everyone knows that he is the security guard, as his ID badge was disguised under his long coat, and just by weaving the coat for less than a second he thinks that this is enough to introduce himself.
My brother put all his shopping and belongings back in the back and went towards the exit, but he didn’t wanted to leave this just like that, so he went to the guard to ask him to see properly his ID, to make sure that this really is somebody working in the shop.

My brother said to him: “Excuse me, can I see your ID, so I can see your name”, then the man said “Come here” and took my brother to the side on the front of some staff room door, and then he shouted “You want my ID? Huh! You want to check me? Huh! No, I will check you! Give me your ID, and if you don’t want to do it I’ll call the police.”
My brother lifted his hands in absolute astonishment and he said. “Why do you need to call the police, you’ve done your check everything was fine, and I just wanted to see your ID. Don’t call any police as I don’t have time for this as I will be late for work, I am starting in a 15 min. time.”
The guard deliberately went near the staff room as there were another two of his colleagues (and probably no CCTV), which after this thing with the police he told them to hold my brother. “Hold him!” So one of guards was literally holding him by his arms. Then they started saying things like:
“Ooo are you afraid from the police? Hmm! Give us now your name and address and we will do a check on you.” Then one of them was saying: “Get his driving license.”
Finally surrounded by three men one of which was holding his arms, my brother gave them his names, address and date of birth. YES PEOPLE, YES this is just by going shopping at Tesco and asking the security guard to show his ID as he was already doing something that he has no rights to do, by stopping and searching inside the shop.
We went this evening 25.01.10 to complain to the manager, but we find that only the duty manager was there and he said he will pass it to the big manager and gave us a number to call: 0800 500 5555, but I don’t think much will be done. People like those should not be working in the shop at all.

I’ve asked the duty manager to show me a copy of Tesco’s Privacy Policy to see where is stated that a security guard has the rights to stop and search inside the shop, but of course he said that this isn’t right.

So, what we have here is:

1. Stop and search inside the shop before even going to the exit (beeper)
2. Refusing to show his ID, which is absolutely necessarily to do so.
3. Aggressive behavior, language and assault. The kind of attitude where: “Look at me, I am the SECURITY GUARD here, I am the BIG man! Who are you little man, to ask for my ID? Let me give a lesson.”
4. Since when such a staff has got the authority to ask for your full details such as name, address, D.O.B…e.g.

My brother’s big worry now is, that he gave his details to some strangers and anything can happen, for example few months ago, somebody tried to open few credit cards on my brother’s name.

After conatcting Tesco's on: 0844 41 46 079 I was told that the manager of the Ealing shop will conatct me, but now three days later still no phone call?

dacouch

You can ask for a copy of any cctv tapes they have that you feature on under the data protection act

marvic31

Maybe im a wrong but I though anyone suspected of stealing was escorted to the security office and then their bags were searched.

Also there needs to be an intent of not paying for purchases, ie heading straight for the exit. Not in this case as your brother was at the checkout.

If i were your brother i would contact the police and say I was assulted by a member of saff within tesco.

Lets see how that goes down with the store manager, maybe a wee phone call to the local newspaper also.

jdturk

marvic31 wrote: »

Lets see how that goes down with the store manager, maybe a wee phone call to the local newspaper also.

If the store manager deals with it correctly whats the point in taking it to the newspaper?

CarJacker

I find it difficult to believe this version of events.

Particularly this part:

---

“Ooo are you afraid from the police? Hmm! Give us now your name and address and we will do a check on you.” Then one of them was saying: “Get his driving license.”
Finally surrounded by three men one of which was holding his arms, my brother gave them his names, address and date of birth. YES PEOPLE, YES this is just by going shopping at Tesco and asking the security guard to show his ID as he was already doing something that he has no rights to do, by stopping and searching inside the shop.

---

How would they know he had a driving licence?

I smell a windup.

but nevertheless - the only single act that could be worth police attention is when unwanted physical contact was applied (he was physically held by the other staff).

AfterDark

CarJacker wrote: »

I find it difficult to believe this version of events.

Particularly this part:

---

“Ooo are you afraid from the police? Hmm! Give us now your name and address and we will do a check on you.” Then one of them was saying: “Get his driving license.”
Finally surrounded by three men one of which was holding his arms, my brother gave them his names, address and date of birth. YES PEOPLE, YES this is just by going shopping at Tesco and asking the security guard to show his ID as he was already doing something that he has no rights to do, by stopping and searching inside the shop.

---

How would they know he had a driving licence?

I smell a windup.

but nevertheless - the only single act that could be worth police attention is when unwanted physical contact was applied (he was physically held by the other staff).

Was thinking the same, especially when he said 3 other staff were involved. The staff are normal people, most on min wage.... they would know this was wrong and would not want to risk there jobs. Also if it did happen you would demand a manager THERE and THEN if you were being abused to this level by staff

babyshoes

I think you should get legal advice on this - people on here are not lawyers! Your brother should go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and ask them what to do. They can offer legal support if it is needed.

spike7451

CarJacker wrote: »

I find it difficult to believe this version of events.

Particularly this part:

---

“Ooo are you afraid from the police? Hmm! Give us now your name and address and we will do a check on you.” Then one of them was saying: “Get his driving license.”
Finally surrounded by three men one of which was holding his arms, my brother gave them his names, address and date of birth. YES PEOPLE, YES this is just by going shopping at Tesco and asking the security guard to show his ID as he was already doing something that he has no rights to do, by stopping and searching inside the shop.

---

How would they know he had a driving licence?

I smell a windup.

but nevertheless - the only single act that could be worth police attention is when unwanted physical contact was applied (he was physically held by the other staff).

Has 'MrKringle' returned???.....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2144589&highlight=tesco

kitschkitty

spike7451 wrote: »

Has 'MrKringle' returned???.....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2144589&highlight=tesco

lol - me smells a troll! :rotfl:

I remembered a different thread, the one with the magazines incident that was written in a similar way
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1515607&highlight=shoplifting+magazines

:rotfl:

toxic1990

This is not unheard of, security guards being power crazy.

Ring up Tescos and ask to see the manager, make an appointment.

Explain it all to him/her, ask for a copy of the CCTV.

A security guard has no right to search you at all, they have no power above your or I, regardless of that shiny badge.

Even in a private room, its normally done through consent, as in he asks/tells you to empty your bag which is legal, and you do, if he forcefully searches you or your bag he is breaking the law. Only police have that power.

They do have the right to hold you, using reasonable force to with strain you whilst waiting for the police, this power is the same for everyone. Commonly known as citizens arrest.

However, this has to be done on pretty solid evidence, that you have committed or where about to commit and offense. What you said doesn't really meet that at all. If they are wrong, they have committed both assault and ultimately kidnap, both criminal and Tort issues.

This is my basic understanding off it.

CAB and Tescos manager are first. CAB should explain where you should go next.

LeeSouthEast

He wasn't stopped and searched. The guard asked to see the bag contents, and your brother willingly complied.