Carrier tags: Tesco’s bid to stop bag thieves

TESCO has been slammed for putting security tags on plastic bags to stop them being nicked.

The carriers were fitted with devices after a spate of thefts following the new charge introduced this week, according to the supermarket.

Shopper Peter Young, 29, said he was ‘gobsmacked’ when he spotted the 10p bags with tags attached at self-service checkouts in the store in Surrey Quays, South East London.

He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got to the self-service counter and saw the bags with tags on.

"Gobsmacked" shopper Peter Young Mercury

“I thought at first it might be a joke, but then when Tesco confirmed it was due to thefts I was gobsmacked.

“Surely there is a better use of the staff’s time and resources than trying to stop 10p bags being stolen?

“Presumably the time it takes to repeatedly tag and then untag these bags is more than the 10p anyway.”

The supermarket insisted the bags, which are 5p more expensive than thinner plastic versions, were only tagged in the corner “to avoid damage”.

"Muppets" bags also had tags fitted to them Mercury

A Tesco spokesman said: “I’ve spoken to the store and I’ve been informed that due to theft in the store the bags will be tagged.

“They’re only tagged in the corner to avoid damage.”

Tesco told Peter that the bags were tagged because of shoppers swiping them Mercury

But Tesco has since insisted the tagging of the bags was a “mistake” and the security devices have now been removed.

The furore happened after The Sun told how an Asda shopper was banned from the supermarket in a row over the new 5p bag charge.

Delroy Hilton claimed he was treated “like a dog” when his groceries were emptied on to the floor by a store worker.

He said it happened after he was barred from carrying his shopping to his car in a basket.