The shoppers were shocked to see the store’s latest measure to stop shoplifting.

Tesco shoppers have been left stunned after a customer revealed the store’s latest anti-theft measure. Shoplifting offences in England and Wales have soared to record levels, with a 23 per cent increase to over 490,000 incidents between September 2023 and September 2024, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Region Security Guarding reports that supermarkets most frequently lose packed meat, razor blades, booze, beauty cosmetics, and cheese to thieves. A user on TikTok turned heads by posting a video showing Tesco’s transparent locked cabinets in the alcohol section, reports the Mirror.

They captioned the clip: “New security in Tesco,” showcasing a touch screen that instructs: “Hello. The cabinet is locked for security reasons. Please tap the arrow below for access.”

Customers following the prompt are reassured with a message saying their request is being processed and a voiceover adds: “Thank you for your patience, the cabinet door will open shortly. Thank you for shopping with Tesco.”

One TikTok poster blasted the measure, commenting: “That’s what happens when Tesco prices are too high and people are resorting to theft (not that I condone it),” Meanwhile, another sceptic predicted: “Shoplifters will just wait for the door to open and then nick everything and just walk out in front of security. Like they always do”.

Other shoppers hailed the innovative security measures, with one person highlighting: “Camera just above it. Uses facial recognition software to prevent loss. Signs on way in.”

Another chimed in: “It has facial recognition – if you’ve shoplifted from anywhere else and got caught, it won’t open.” Meanwhile, another shopper explained: “If the door stays open for a few seconds or more security are alerted, shelves are ‘weighted’ so #Tesco knows what bottle has just been removed. Also checks door is closed. For pricey alcohol only cabinets.”

Morrisons reportedly has taken up similar security tactics recently, as one customer noted: “In Morrisons you have wait until someone comes to open them.” Yet, there seems to be a hitch, as another added: “Morrisons did the same near me, they now leave them unlocked because there was no staff to open them constantly.”

Tesco bosses confirmed the rollout of a new secure cabinet for spirits and sparkling wines in select large stores, aiming to curb thefts. The supermarket detailed that the locked doors of the cabinet will open for customers after they press a button, mirroring the process shown in a TikTok video.

Last year, Tesco’s CEO Ken Murphy spoke out about the retailer’s investment of tens of millions into crime prevention measures, yet he cautioned that these efforts were still falling short. These measures include providing staff with body-worn cameras, installing protective screens and implementing door entry systems at store entrances. Meanwhile, the hub team in Daventry, Northamptonshire, will be analysing thousands of hours of CCTV footage, operating round the clock, all year round, and sharing information with the police.