Vent:Store staff told me they would search me

Leory

Azari wrote: »

No, because he knows his rights and has not stolen anything.

Personally I'd be really interested to know what had set off the alarm so I would be taking the lead in the investigation.

As opposed to behaving like an adult rather than a petulant child, ignoring them and walking back out of the shop (that they no doubt wanted to enter in the first place)?

Your second point is valid, however. Store security systems are not entirely foolproof, and unfortunately people can leave the store, having paid for an item, with the security tag still on. If another store alarm activated, I would much rather I sorted the issue there and then rather than find out at home that I have a security tag attached to my collar

Azari

Leory wrote: »

As opposed to behaving like an adult rather than a petulant child, ignoring them and walking back out of the shop (that they no doubt wanted to enter in the first place)?

I posted that in response to someone who suggested that he would do it because he'd stolen something. (I think he was referring to the alarm going off on the way out.)

I suspect that, in reality, his reaction would be based as much on the attitude of the staff involved. Any sensible security operative will adopt a helpful approach and ask if you have anything that the cashier might have failed to detag. Than a polite request to check it against the receipt, remove the tag and the job's done.

Any normal person will want their items properly detagged. Only someone with a bee in their bonnet or who has stolen something will object if the staff are pleasant and non accusatory.

Sally_A

Well, today I ventured into Tesco, having removed the supposedly deactivated security tag from the mascara I bought about 6 weeks ago in Superdrug, Cardiff.

No alarm sounded on my way in or out - maybe I was wrongly blaming my car key.

tomwakefield

Leory wrote: »

As opposed to behaving like an adult rather than a petulant child, ignoring them and walking back out of the shop (that they no doubt wanted to enter in the first place)?

Your second point is valid, however. Store security systems are not entirely foolproof, and unfortunately people can leave the store, having paid for an item, with the security tag still on. If another store alarm activated, I would much rather I sorted the issue there and then rather than find out at home that I have a security tag attached to my collar

Bought a bottle of some spirit or other as a christmas present and used the self service. The shop assistant did the verification no problems and got home. Took it out to wrap it.

Bloody anti-theft thing was still on the bottle, covering the neck and the top.

Took a hacksaw to get it off in the end. Recipient was most amused by the story.

mrputney08

Blossomhill I hope your migraine has left you now, I had one 3 days ago for 2 days so you have my sympathy!

Personally I would (most recently) agree with kaya and bluenoseam. I would:
1) Let them search me quite happily as it will be me who will benefit by learning from this little scenario and them who will be doing the all the apologising and explaining,
2) Ask WHY they chose to stop me on the way in, WHAT was it that set the alarm off? - very important so it can be avoided for future reference!- , ....and 3).. make d**ned sure I don't have library books/magnets/or anything else next time I enter that store!
All the best.

@Tom Wakefield: I had the same happen to me, ha haa, mum was like 'what's this?' at her bottle of still tagged Chambord! I felt like a criminal, I had to hacksaw it off too!

Sally_A

...and this is why our country is in the mess it is.

Perhaps we should take a note from ants rather than leeches .

eyeinthesky

I have been reading this thread with interest as I work in a retail chain store. My user name will give a clue to my occupation, but I do not have a secret button, lol, nor have I ever heard of anyone who has one! I do have a lot of buttons, and many of them are very useful, but alas no! not a secret button. Maybe I should ask my boss if I can have a secret button? but then, if he knew about it, it wouldn't be secret any more!

To answer the OP, you do not have to agree to be searched by security or store staff. They can only detain you if they have a reasonable suspicion that you have stolen something. They should use S.C.O.N.E

Selection
Concealment
Observation
Non- payment
Exit

Even then, they have no power to search, but they can detain you, using reasonable force if necessary, until police arrive.
They can , of course, ask you to empty your bag etc., but you can just refuse, likewise, you can refuse to give any identification, but this just makes things worse for yourself. When the police do arrive, they will give your details to the store security anyway.

The door alarms are just a deterrent, and are pretty meaningless. They are mostly magnetic, and do not detect just metal like surgical pins and replacement hips. Hope this helps.

blossomhill_2

Dr_Cuckoo3 wrote: »

Did you establish what set the alarm off in the end then ? :think:

Judging by your previous posts you spend a lot of time in Tesco using coupons , pricechecker etc

You are probably known to the CCTV operator - It is possible that they wanted to see if you had any "photocopied" coupons in your bag

I am not suggesting that you use photocopied coupons , however if the store has had a problem with that and know that you use coupons they may wish to eliminate you

That would explain why they didn't bother the other person

Shock horror - they have CCTV cameras outside the store / in the car park and can see who is comming from distance

I don't think the Osterley Tesco uses the special button , Brent Park and Brent Cross are more likely to

Name the Tesco and I may visit to establish whether they are a special button Tesco or not

Wrong thread mate, not Tesco, didn't use a car park as store doesn't have one, not a store anything to do with coupons, never been there before

JaymesKenin_2

We actually had a non-CCTV based arrest today!
I just happened to walk out of the store, saw a chap struggling with a trolley, bags in the trolley, crisps over the top. Only thing I'm thinking is "that's just not right.".

The guy sees me and backs away from the trolley, much in a "it's not mine, mate." fashion. I get my colleague to pop a camera on him, we both approach him and the little ****** starts running! Needless to say we got him. Well, my colleague did, I'm not quite fast enough.

Little !!!!!! was trying to steal over £1,500 of CHEWING GUM! Well, the crisps, bags (not paid for!), and some drinks and such made up less than £100.

hollydays

eyeinthesky wrote: »

I have been reading this thread with interest as I work in a retail chain store. My user name will give a clue to my occupation, but I do not have a secret button, lol, nor have I ever heard of anyone who has one! I do have a lot of buttons, and many of them are very useful, but alas no! not a secret button. Maybe I should ask my boss if I can have a secret button? but then, if he knew about it, it wouldn't be secret any more!

To answer the OP, you do not have to agree to be searched by security or store staff. They can only detain you if they have a reasonable suspicion that you have stolen something. They should use S.C.O.N.E

Selection
Concealment
Observation
Non- payment
Exit

Even then, they have no power to search, but they can detain you, using reasonable force if necessary, until police arrive.
They can , of course, ask you to empty your bag etc., but you can just refuse, likewise, you can refuse to give any identification, but this just makes things worse for yourself. When the police do arrive, they will give your details to the store security anyway.

The door alarms are just a deterrent, and are pretty meaningless. They are mostly magnetic, and do not detect just metal like surgical pins and replacement hips. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately,there are some on this thread,"in the know" and they seem to be on a mission.They will not be happy till a new poster... has posted saying there is one.