Oldham Tesco tags baskets to curb theft epidemic in 5p bag protest
A Tesco store has started clipping security tags upon its baskets in response to a spike in thefts likely linked to the new 5p carrier bag charge.
Following the charge being implemented across the whole of England (4 October), the supermarket reported a dramatic spate of basket thefts.
The outlet said to the BBC: “The store had a problem with people taking baskets since the introduction of the carrier bag charge.
"It is not a blanket policy, but we have introduced security tags as a result."
The charge, which has been active in Scotland for almost a year and Wales for almost four, has sparked an increase in theft - not of the good - but of vessels to hold them. Nationwide there have been numerous reports of bags and baskets being tagged to ensure the transition to paid bags occurs with minimal thefts.
Business mogul Duncan Bannatyne passed comment on the phenomena.
What! Tesco are putting anti theft devices on carrier bags! What in the world!
— Duncan Bannatyne (@DuncanBannatyne) October 10, 2015
Faced with the charge, a number of shoppers got inventive with how to transport their goods home.
Basket for life??? @Tesco pic.twitter.com/CziJtbzWT7
— Anto Sharp (@AntoSharp) October 6, 2015
Imgaine sitting in a cell ... "What you in for mate" STOLE A BASKET FROM TESCO BECAUSE OF THE 5p BAG CHARGE
— JORDAN... (@94_JordanAV) October 6, 2015
WTF someone just ran out of Tesco Metro with a basket full of shopping...
— SoOoOoOTotallyXray (@SoTotallyXray) October 6, 2015
They just tried to charge me 5p for a bag in tesco so i walked out with my shopping in the basket. Simple tingz!
— Leebee (@leonboreland) October 5, 2015
Walk into Tesco with an Asda basket.. Walk into Asda with a Tesco basket.. About 5p for plastic bags.. Mug..
— Shaka Zulu (@CyZulu) October 5, 2015
I honestly just saw a bloke walking down the road carrying his shopping in a Tesco basket #PlasticBagChaos
— Sean Leahy (@seanrleahy) October 5, 2015
5p for a bag seemed a little steep so opted for the free basket. Thanks @Tesco #everylittlehelps pic.twitter.com/ZDLPRXlGNK
— Get James (@JamesBurton__) October 5, 2015
Why would I pay 5p for a carrier bag from @sainsburys or @Tesco when a trolley costs £1?
— Adam Pearson (@Adam_Pearson) October 14, 2015
Don't pay 5p per bag at Tesco, it's a rip off. I got a trolley for a quid. It's worth far more in scrap value alone ;-)
— Kevin Graham (@jigsawuk) October 8, 2015