Sainsburys stop and search

kynare

Last week I went to Sainsbury's to buy a couple of items. I had the items in less than 2 mins and went to self service. Cashier helped me out as I needed authorisation for one item, where she removed the tag. I paid by card and put my items in to my bag for the extra Nectar points. While leaving I called back and than told by the security guard that someone had told him to search me. Being embarrassed as this was right next to the exit I let him search my whole bag. The guy was nice and apologetic, even though he was really loud which attracted some awkward glances and after a few minutes and an apology (from him only) he let me leave.

Anyways is this normal. No alarm went off and the only thing I could say that could lead to this happening was:

1. I thanked some of their staff for their help (weird nowadays)
2. I have a great looking beard
3. I was wearing a hoodie (superdry one with no big pockets) and shorts.
4. I paid at self service, albeit with some help from cashier as tag had to be re moved
5. I knew what I wanted and read the signs that told me what they were
6. I wasn't ethnically positioned to be in the area at that time


Like I said no alarm went off before I got searched or even after. So unless the security guard, who thoroughly checked my bag used the power of his mind to switch of the alarms whilst I worked through; there was no reason to stop me.

Sainsbury's are investigating this, although I don't believe anything but a "we can search anyone with a probable cause to steal," answer will come about. However is this a normal procedure.

Ps They emailed me today saying they read my email. They called me Ms. I know that's not strange, but point number 2 above clearly stated I told them I had a beard and I also mentioned near me or my wife will shop there ever again. So I guess they never read my email.

hollydays

You've posted this already:)

Bollotom

I would have told him to take a hike and the only way he was going to search me would be in the presence of the police or he could drag me back into the store whereupon on arrival of the police I would make a formal complaint of wrongful arrest and detention. Also who was this 'Someone' who told him to search you? All seems a bit like a rogue guard trying to be big as you don't 'search' someone on a whim. :cool:

VoucherMan

I was stopped once. Apparently I'd been 'acting suspiciously'. Once he'd checked my bag he apologised & let me go. Maybe I could have made an issue, but since I had nothing to hide it didn't bother me.

The supermarkets spend thousands of pounds on security & CCTV. What use would it be if they were never to question anyone.

blossomhill_2

It sounds strange.
i was told in a Savers by an unidentifued employee that she was going to search my handbag because the alarm had sounded as i ENTERED
i told her she wasnt
i said that i had been nowhere near their stock, having only so far walked straight down a centre of an aisle, and she could check cctv to prove it
2 of us had walked in together when the alarm sounded, she had decided to choose me for her search
i told her i would just leave and she could call the police
i left
nothing else happened

Nodding_Donkey

Security guards, anywhere, do not have the legal powers to search you. They can only do it with permission. Even airport security need your permission for a search.

viv0147

Don't ever go there again

sh0597

Sounds like a case of beardism.

Bantex_2

kynare wrote: »

6. I wasn't ethnically positioned to be in the area at that time

I would still love to know what that means.

Oliver_Zarmy

I would have told him that he wasn't any more entitled to search you than you were entitled to search him and that you were going to go first.

bod1467

hollydays wrote: »

You've posted this already:)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5057215