Two major supermarket chains are putting up extra security to stop shoplifters.
More and more of us tend to opt for the self-service checkouts as opposed to the traditional manned tills these days.
But while they offer the speedier option for shoppers in a rush, they also leave supermarkets open to theft.
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So in a bid to catch thieves in the act, Sainsbury's are introducing electronic gates and carrying out random bag checks on customers, while Morrisons are using barriers to prevent thefts.
Speaking about the measures, a source from Sainsbury's told The Telegraph: “These gates are not new. We first introduced them last year, and have been rolling them out slowly since.
“But staff in stores who monitor them have been instructed to scrutinise a bigger number of customers going through them.
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"There were fears some shoppers might miss an item or two when scanning.
“They were introduced in the first place because often these stores have low staff levels, and shoplifters felt they could just walk through the self-scan area and out the store without even buying anything.”
Customers have already spoken out about having had their bags looked at and receipts scanned after using the self-checkout machines.
“I’ve used self-scan since it started and have had my bags checked maybe twice in all that time until this week," one shopper said online.
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“The last three shops I’ve done at Sainsbury’s in Surbiton Basin have been checked, including a close inspection of my bag and sun hat.
“I know this is random – well, I assume it is random – but is shoplifting on the rise at Sainsbury’s and other shops? Their staff are helpful, products are good, my nearest shop too so this isn’t a rant. I just wondered if there is a problem?”
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said the new security checks are only being introduced at a 'small number' of its branches.
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“This is just one of a range of security measures," the store told the outlet. "It is used in a small number of our stores at our self-service checkout areas.”
A spokesperson for Morrisons said customers who pass through the self-checkout exits will have to get a member of staff to let them through the gates.
“We have recently introduced electronic gates into some stores," the supermarket explained.
"Any customers who haven’t made a purchase simply need to ask the Morrisons customer assistant manning the self-service tills to open the gate for them.”
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LADbible has contacted Morrisons and Sainsbury's for further comment.
Dominic Smithers