Morrisons is one of the largest chains of supermarkets in the UK. They sell everyday items you expect from a supermarket, including fresh produce and daily consumer goods. Naturally, they also deal with shoplifters who take items out without paying for them.
Morrisons respond to shoplifting with a somewhat balanced policy. Firstly, staff are trained not to stop or block shoplifters. That’s to protect their safety and that of other customers in the store. However, security guards will proactively block shoplifters and detain them. Shoplifters are then banned from Morrisons for life, with lawsuits or police reports filed against them.
Read through this guide to dive deeper into Morrisons’ shoplifting policy. As you go through the following sections, you’ll discover all the strategies and tactics they use to reduce losses via shoplifting.
What Is Morrisons’ Policy On Shoplifting?
Overall, Morrisons is very strict when it comes to shoplifting. The leading supermarket chain uses several strategies to deter and punish shoplifters while keeping their customers and employees safe.
Firstly, most Morrisons employees are discouraged from pursuing shoplifters by themselves. That’s done to maintain the safety of both store workers and customers, as approaching a shoplifter could create a tense, aggressive, and potentially violent situation.
Unfortunately, that kind of situation has happened in the past where a shoplifter attacked a Morrisons store manager, causing them severe injuries. So, this part of the shoplifting policy isn’t just words on a page; there are past cases that give them plenty of weight.
Store workers aren’t entirely powerless. They can observe and follow anyone they suspect of stealing items to gather information about them.
That information can be helpful later when the store’s management files a report against them.
Like most retailers, Morrisons also invests in several deterrents to discourage shoplifters before they try to steal. Those deterrents include:
- Security cameras – Every inch of a Morrisons store is monitored by security cameras. These closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems ensure that any shoplifting cases are recorded as evidence to fine or charge people who steal from the store.
- Warning signs – Morrisons also uses warning signs to remind customers that anyone who steals will be punished to the full extent of the law. These signs are placed throughout the store at eye level to ensure they are visible to all customers.
- Hotlines – Morrisons has one unique tactic that many other stores don’t: a hotline number that customers can call to report a shoplifter. Customers who witness a crime can call the number to report shoplifters and potentially get a financial reward.
- Electronic tags – Some high-value items also carry electronic tags on them. No one except the cashiers with the right equipment can remove these tags. The tags will trigger alarms if a shoplifter carries the stolen item out of the store.
- Showcases – Lastly, some items are locked up in showcases that only staff can open. That adds another obstacle for would-be shoplifters if they want to steal those items.
Morrisons effectively combines all of the tactics above to strengthen its shoplifting policy and make it significantly more difficult to steal from its stores.
Some stores have somewhat unconventional rules in place to stop shoplifting. For example, one location has been plagued by large groups of teenagers storming the store at night, stealing items and causing damage.
That store has implemented a rule not allowing customers under 16 to enter the store at night in large groups.
So, it wouldn’t be surprising if individual Morrisons stores used special rules to tackle unique shoplifting challenges in their location.
Are Morrisons Security Guards Allowed To Stop Shoplifters?
Yes, Morrison’s security guards are very proactive when dealing with shoplifters. Not only will they observe and gather information on potential shoplifters, but they will also intervene and block them from leaving the store.
On top of that, shoplifters will be brought to the security office to return everything they’ve stolen.
So far, several mainstream news reports show how Morrison security guards successfully stop shoplifters and prevent them from leaving with their stolen goods.
While other store workers are encouraged to avoid shoplifters, the security and loss prevention teams do quite the opposite. They will stop shoplifters, retrieve stolen items, and work closely with law enforcement to charge offenders.
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What Happens When A Shoplifter Is Caught In Morrisons?
Here’s what typically happens when a shoplifter is caught in Morrisons:
- Firstly, shoplifters are stopped and taken to the security office.
- Once there, they’re asked to remove stolen items from wherever they’re hidden. That includes the shoplifter’s bags and from under their clothes.
- Next, a photo is taken of the shoplifter. That photo will both act as evidence when reported to the police and also be kept on the store record. That will make it easier for store security to identify them in the future as a known shoplifter.
- Security will also collect the shoplifter’s personal information. That includes their name, address, and contact information. Combined with the photo taken earlier, this information will help Morrisons enforce a lifetime ban for the thief at all their stores.
- In some cases, shoplifters are handed over directly to the police. That is most likely if the value of stolen goods is incredibly high or if the shoplifter threatened or attacked Morrisons staff.
- In many cases, the shoplifter is allowed to leave. However, Morrisons is known to use lawyers to later sue shoplifters for any charges incurred during the situation. Shoplifters often get the lawyer’s letter at their home address weeks or months later.
Although the final step can differ between shoplifting cases, everything else is the same: shoplifters are stopped and identified before being banned from all Morrisons locations.
Does Morrisons Press Charges Against Shoplifters?
Yes, Morrisons does pursue legal action against shoplifters, including pressing charges against them.
As you read earlier, the likelihood of that happening increases when the total value of goods stolen is high or if the shoplifter threatens Morrisons staff or customers.
National news has historically reported on Morrisons shoplifters getting caught and charged, with some even forced to spend time in jail for their crimes.
In other words, plenty of examples show that Morrisons has no problems going after shoplifters for stealing from them.
However, it’s more typical for Morrisons to use lawyers and sue caught shoplifters instead. Shoplifters must reimburse Morrisons for any charges incurred, including the value of any lost items and other fees.
All of the above is true for shoplifters who aren’t caught in-store. For example, a thief might successfully leave the store with stolen goods, even if security guards don’t notice them.
Still, the store will have security footage of what happened. In that case, the store’s manager will use that as evidence to file a police report against the individual.
Final Thoughts
The shoplifting policy at Morrisons is pretty standard. You’ll find that many leading retailers take the same approach to dealing with theft regardless of what they’re selling. Generally, staff are told not to stop shoplifters to protect their safety.
Still, security guards and loss prevention specialists will take a more active role in stopping shoplifting in its tracks.
Even if the person gets away, store security will use whatever evidence they have to file a lawsuit or charges against the thieves.
Reference Sources
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/morrisons-supermarket-bans-large-groups-25532313