My consumer right to not be stopped and searched

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

I suggest you should have said to the guard " I need you to strip" someone has told me to search you"... See what happens next..

kynare

I don't think I needed as attempted sexual advance charge. I don't think this would have helped me at all at the time

photome

hollydays wrote: »

I suggest you should have said to the guard " I need you to strip" someone has told me to search you"... See what happens next..

They searched his bag he didnt have to strip so whats your point

I would assume (maybe wrongly) that they would be entitled to search a bag while on their premises

hollydays

photome wrote: »

They searched his bag he didnt have to strip so whats your point

He didn't have to have his bag searched..

photome

hollydays wrote: »

He didn't have to have his bag searched..

What would be the consequences if he refused

hollydays

Large amount of compensation may well follow.

tomtontom

hollydays wrote: »

Large amount of compensation may well follow.

A small goodwill gesture may follow.

hollydays

photome wrote: »

Why?

I asked about consequences, maybe you missed that one

I can't answer a hypothetical question.

kynare

I'm not looking for anything other than an explanation of why I was stopped. This is cause the security guard specifically said he was told too. I don't care who told him, but I believe I should know why and if it's normal for them to follow this process.

I also want an apology about being called Ms. Nothing in my email indicated I was female and if they had read the email as stated on the non-automated message a handler had sent me, there was nothing to suggest it.

photome

hollydays wrote: »

I can't answer a hypothetical question.

yes you can

you stated that he didnt have to have his bag searched so you must have an answer to any potential consequences if he refused