Tesco increasing 'security presence’ as shoplifting expected to surge due to cost-of-living crisis

With soaring inflation in the UK and prices of food surging, British people might be pushed to the brink to survive. As reported by The Mirror, the probability of unrest and financial instability due to the crisis is leading supermarket giant Tesco to reinforce their security measures against desperate people who might have no other way but to steal to survive.

Tesco Chairman comments on the current situation

While speaking to Times Radio, the chairman of Tesco, John Allan was asked about a recent report by The Sunday Times. The report leaked a strategy document that spoke of government concerns about ‘economic turmoil and financial instability’ and a winter of unrest for the police due to the rise in crimes such as shoplifting, burglary etc.

Allan responded by saying,

I think shoplifting is a concern and you know, getting the police to take action and respond… this is a concern right across the retail trade.

I don't sympathise with people who shoplift, but I can understand desperate people taking desperate measures. Sometimes when you know, they've literally got no money left.

Speaking about Tesco's future course of action on security, he said,

And yes, we are putting more security presence into those of our stores that are most impacted by shoplifting. But we're doing that selectively.

Mr. Allen also expressed his sincere hope that Tesco would not have to shut down due to the soaring domestic bills.

The cost-of-living crisis, poverty and crime

As per reports by The Guardian, without government action or aid, millions of Brits face poverty due to the crisis, and they could be very soon stripped of their ‘basic dignity’.

The recent report on the expected rise in crime comes as another serious consequence of the crisis. The Mirror quoted a Home Office spokesperson who said,

Our absolute priority is to get more police onto our streets, cut crime, protect the public and bring more criminals to justice. We are supporting police by providing them with the resources they need to keep us safe, including recruiting 20,000 extra police officers.

Read more:

⋙ Tesco: Popular tablets recalled with a warning to customers not to take them
⋙ Tesco’s ‘non-vegan’ oranges are getting the supermarket into hot water

⋙ Scams on the rise amid cost-of-living crisis: Here’s what to look out for