Assaulted by Tesco store security

notjustanyone

a27 wrote: »

Do the scanners not detect at foot level?

Yes, but who'd wanna search a stinky trolls sock?

marleyboy

The times the security alarm has pinged when I have been pushing babies buggy out of Tesco, it inevitably always turns out to be the guy next to me, but I always stop and re-enter, just in case. Besides which the security guard notices this move, its not a routine your local shoplifter is likely to do - they are more likely to increase pace and make a hasty though preferably discreet escape, which in the OPs case, sounds familiar.

The security guard has a job to do, to ensure nothing is stolen, I have no objections to a bag search, particularly if the alarm has pinged, I would kind of expect the security guard to double check my items, all the more so because I know I have nothing to worry about, there are no hidden stolen items in my possession, so there is no need for me to kick up a fuss, its all going to turn out to be some misunderstanding, the last person to blame for it, would be the security guard.

That the OP CHOSE to ignore the alarm, picked up the pace and managed to get half way across the car park before the security guard caught up to him, would be enough to rouse suspicions, even more when the OP refuses point blank to cooperate, to such a point he thought he could just carry on walking when asked to stop, that kind of makes it understandable why the security guard physically stopped him, as well as feel the need for back up, as many as THREE security guards.

I at first thought the OP was some old lady who felt threatened, it turns out he is a young chap with a chip on his shoulder, who thinks its reasonable for shoplifters to be allowed to leave a store "unchallenged" whenever they set the alarms off and make a hasty retreat.

If only these shoplifters would have the decency to dress in black and carry a big bag with "SWAG" etched on it, it would save all this confusion whenever the alarm pings.

Candigirl69

I think some people have been a little harsh on the OP. I'm gonna take a guess that it was because he used the word black to describe the security guard who assaulted him. Hey I'm black and I'd say that he was just describing the guy! Notice how I use the word black to describe my ethnic origin? Come on people, at no point did he use the N word, or anything remotely discriminating!

Race issue aside (not that there was one). I'm a 2nd year Law Student and I can confirm that no Security Guard has the right to use any force that is deemed unreasonable. In this case, the force is definitely unreasonable.

I have witnessed many people continue walking out when alarms have gone off. I find the sentence "most NORMAL people would stop" that someone posted, quite discriminatory. There are plenty of people who may not stop in these circumstances. Deaf people may not hear the alarm for a start. It's down to individual choice, continuing to walk leisurely into the carpark should not be taken as a sign of guilt and a green light to tackle someone. It may have been more appropriate for the Security Guard who first approached to have asked the OP politely if he wouldn't mind waiting a moment while they checked what had caused the alarm to go off, instead of the uninformative "Did you buy anything electrical?" I'd hope a Security Guard of all people would know that there are far more products than just electricals that have electronic tags attached to them.

I do think Tescos should have a clear approach policy in these cases. The majority of alarms are caused by lack of detachment of tag and far more crimes are detected by CCTV measures than the Tag/Alarm system.

I hope OP made a complaint to either the police or the store about this.

Pytor_Michaeloff

This is an old thread but some people may still be following it. I had two Tesco staff run after me after I had left the shop, one of the them by his own admission placed a hand on my shoulder. He asked if I would agree to be searched. I asked his authority and he produced a police badge.

I don't think you are ever likely to get very far complaining to police about Tesco security staff, undisclosed numbers of police officers have Tesco staff cards - I'd imagine that means all of them - and undisclosed numbers of volunteer special constables have paid employment with Tesco, so it could be said that Tesco are sponsoring the police in this time of budget cuts. It seems that Tesco have considerable influence over the police. I also wonder whether they have bought the silence of most newspapers by paying for advertising.

I have the following statement from (text removed by MSE Forum Team) of Tesco's Head Office.

"In this instance, our staff felt that your manner was very unusual and when you hurriedly left the store, this raised suspicion, and that is why (text removed by MSE Forum Team) felt it necessary to follow you. He asked you to stop, however you appeared to ignore him and this is why he placed his hand on your shoulder. Unfortunately your adverse reaction to this caused the matter to escalate."

I find this supremely arrogant, we the public are supposed to take kindly to have Tesco staff lay hands on us.

I'll say more if anyone still following this thread!

unholyangel

It is a very sad world indeed when we consider merely being touched by another human being as wrong or equal to assault. Your earlier description of "placed" means it wasnt done with excessive force or possibly with no force at all.

Is it just tesco staff, staff in general or every human you have a problem with touching you? Do you not consider them your equal?

Don't get me wrong, I like my personal space. But I wouldnt see it as a big deal if someone placed a hand on my shoulder unless it was to punch me. I, myself, have ran after someone and touched them on the shoulder to get their attention......why? Because they had dropped their purse and it was the easiest way to get their attention to give it back to them.

laganuk

Speak when you are angry--and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret

Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.

Never heard tthat quote before but if you don't mind i shall use it - i use labels are for jars not people ....

pendulum

What a terrible reply! :eek:

In other words - "We think our staff have the right to stop, touch and search you if they think you look dodgy, despite no evidence at all you did anything wrong, and without seeing you commit a crime"

I wouldn't take kindly to someone touching my shoulder to make me stop when I'd done nothing wrong, either. It seems if I voiced my displeasure that would be my "adverse reaction causing the matter to escalate"...

Got to be one of the worst responses by a company I've ever read. It's insulting.

mttylad

Somehow I think if someone tried to lay their hands on me without first showing some real ID and having a really damn good reason they would promptly be on their back on the floor, security, off duty copper or not!

Touching me to get my attention is far different from grabbing.

arcon5

Pytor_Michaeloff wrote: »

This is an old thread but some people may still be following it. I had two Tesco staff run after me after I had left the shop, one of the them by his own admission placed a hand on my shoulder. He asked if I would agree to be searched. I asked his authority and he produced a police badge.

Whats wrong with putting his hand on your shoulder to get your attention? Unless he was forceful or agressive in doing it.

mttylad wrote: »

Somehow I think if someone tried to lay their hands on me without first showing some real ID and having a really damn good reason they would promptly be on their back on the floor, security, off duty copper or not!

Touching me to get my attention is far different from grabbing.

And whats REAL ID to you? The main op specified the guard showed their corporate ID badges, whereas although the more recent experience didn't specify this, i'd be majorly surprised if they didn't have an ID badge on display or available.

Op wasn't at a cash point though, they was walking away from the security guards.

Also, you must have a very small mind to have to deal with a situation whereby something touches you on the shoulder with violence!

thistledome

If someone ran after me and then grabbed my shoulder they'd get a kick in the crutch. If the security guards are athletic enough to run after someone then why can't they overtake that person and stand in front of them, face to face, why touch them from behind?

If they shouted after someone who's deaf they wouldn't be heard either. Would it then be OK to chase them and lay hands on them?

I'm surprised at all the people who think it's OK to touch. and be touched by, complete strangers. I'd never dream of putting my hands on anyone unless they were about to fall, or be hit by a car or some other danger (obv.) But then I suppose I'm old fashioned and not as foreign-minded as most on here.

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)