Can A security guard stop and search ur bags if?

[.......]

Whiles leaving a large supermarket 2day my mum was stopped and her bags where searched. 1 security guard was infront of her trolly and the other 1 at her side. They searched her bags and check her receipt and found she had payed for all her goods.They done this infront of everyone coming in and out of the store. When they found she had payed for everything they said that the thought that the Girl serving her had not charged her for all her shoppin. My mum was very upset by this and even had to get a stranger to drive her car home. Does anyone know if this is illegal or have an advice . She has made a complaint to the store and they have apologised and said it should never have happened.
My Mother has a well payed job and doesen't look like a shoplifter.
They didnt say why the where searchin her, just sayed when they found she had payed for everything that they thought the girl serving hadn't charged for all her shoppin.

[rlpuk1]

Limited people have the power of search, certainly in my neck of the woods that doesn't reach to Security Guards.....write to customer service to clarify situation.

[Hippo]

.......... I feel sorry for your mum and the way she was traeted and this certainley could have been handled a better way by the security. However the question I have is what does a shoplifter look like and if you are in the know please help all the security guys on here and let the rest of us know that way we can all help keep costs down in the shops.

Hippo

[hippy]

Originally Posted by .......

My Mother has a well payed job and doesen't look like a shoplifter.

So what does one look like then???? And whats the well paid job got to do with it?? Never heard of the JP's wife who goes on regular 'discounted shopping' sprees and the many other examples of well to do folks stealing from retail outlets?

[Nigelpc]

It's likely that we all consent to being searched as a condition of entry to these stores.....even if we don't realise it. However, the method in which the search was conducted, and the fact that the explanation was provided AFTER the search instead of beforehand, would justify a letter of complaint to the Chair of the Company. Don't refer to Mum's appearance...it's a non-starter.

[Big Del]

Some people working on tills do not always put through all the items so that family and friends can get a few bargains for nothing. As for asking to check her trolley outside they should have taken her to the side explained why they were checking her trolley. At least they were being proactive maybe they should be watching the girl on the till not your mum

[Ste7en]

First Off I see you haven't even bothered to introduce yourself to the forum, one thing I hate is one post wonders that post & run. I see you have chosen the username ........... Why was that, could you not be bothered to put the effort in or so you can post without coming back to reply?

Originally Posted by .......

Whiles leaving a large supermarket 2day my mum was stopped and her bags where searched. 1 security guard was infront of her trolly and the other 1 at her side. They searched her bags and check her receipt and found she had payed for all her goods.They done this infront of everyone coming in and out of the store. When they found she had payed for everything they said that the thought that the Girl serving her had not charged her for all her shoppin. My mum was very upset by this and even had to get a stranger to drive her car home. Does anyone know if this is illegal or have an advice . She has made a complaint to the store and they have apologised and said it should never have happened.
My Mother has a well payed job and doesen't look like a shoplifter.
They didnt say why the where searchin her, just sayed when they found she had payed for everything that they thought the girl serving hadn't charged for all her shoppin.

Without further details you story just doesn't add up my friend. You say that your Mum had to get a "stranger" to drive her car home! Your mum is very naive if she is letting a stranger take control of her vehicle with her in the car, albeit with a complete stranger!!!.

What store was it, as anyone who works for these stores will tell you the exect policy in regard to Stop & Searches.

2 Security Guards for 1 older female shopper, who was securing the rest of the store? Any Security guard will tell you that they avoide this at all costs, as 1 person can be used as a decoy so the other Security Guard will have been trained to look for other shoplifters taking advantage of this situation to their advantage.

As for the security Guards looking through your mums shopping bags in front of everyone I find rather strange. Security Guards are instructed to take the person back to a till if the receipt is in question and if neccessary the items can be rescanned, I have seen this done by ASDA although they did compensate the shopper with vouchers bye way of an apology.

Did the Security Guards apologise?

Did your mum think to call the police for being detained against her will? (False Arrest, as your story goes).

If I sound sceptical, its because I know there is always two sides to a story, and you are telling us a story 2nd hand from your mum and without giving any real specific info.

On a final point, one further question that I will even answer for you.

Q. What does a shoplifter look like?

A. Everyone

[Chriss T]

Well said Ste7en.

This persons story is totally fishy. They obviously couldnt be bothered to even choose a username. I see they joined in Oct 2007 then made 1 post then buggered off, that really gets on my t1ts. If your going to contribute to this site then do so, dont make one post and run. I think it should be a practice that if you dont make a posting within 3 months, or every 3 months you should get the boot.

Your thoughts people. Should one post wonders get the boot.

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by Chriss T

Well said Ste7en.

This persons story is totally fishy. They obviously couldnt be bothered to even choose a username. I see they joined in Oct 2007 then made 1 post then buggered off, that really gets on my t1ts. If your going to contribute to this site then do so, dont make one post and run. I think it should be a practice that if you dont make a posting within 3 months, or every 3 months you should get the boot.

Your thoughts people. Should one post wonders get the boot.

I totally agree, it is really annoying when people post once then dont bother coming back. But some people could be out of the country working in the CP field, but I agree there has to be something to stop the one post wonders.

[lildev666]

Hi I work in retail, and I work doors also. I will agree with ste7en and chriss t, story sounds way offish. It depends where you work, but I believe uniform guards cant stop and search correct me if Im wrong. They are there as a deterant, if trained properly then SCONE should be in practice, (you will know about this if you are in retail) usually you have to wait until the person leaves beyond the paypoint and exits the premises before you can stop. I didnt think you could do anything on suspiscion of, you can only stop if you are 110% sure .... The girl on the till should have been under survelience and someone undercover - store detective should have been brought in, and dealt with under the companies disaplianry proceedures... I think im right lol