Sainsbury's slammed over new security at Wantage store

A gate has been installed at the self-service checkout at Sainsbury's in Kings Park shopping centre which requires customers to scan their receipt to exit the store.

Shoppers took to social media to voice their concern against the security measures, which have already been introduced at a small number of the chain's stores.

READ MORE: Cricketer hits six into dad's windscreen playing Oxfordshire

John Brown said Sainsbury’s was ‘a shop, not a prison’ and that he felt ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘trapped’ inside the store.

Fabbi Fernandes added: “Nightmare, I had both hands full and could not scan.”

Colleen Ann Stacey said she ‘might be giving them a miss for a while’ while Moya Lee added: “How many people will stop going there because of this? I shall.”

Some said the security measures would still not prevent shoplifting.

John Allinson said: “How does this stop anyone paying only for a carrot then using that receipt to get out with loads of shopping?”

Andrew Holding added: “Sadly shoplifting will still continue.

“All they’ll do is find another way around the gate, like scanning one item and walking out with the rest of the shopping.”

Environmental concerns were also raised about printing a receipt for each shopper.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire: Abingdon Bridge to close overnight for repairs

Charlotte Nicholls said: “What a waste of paper. I don’t want a receipt for my shopping.”

But some supported the new measures, claiming they were needed to reduce shoplifting at the store.

“If people didn’t steal then they wouldn’t take measures like this,” said Keely Levell.

Simon Duke said: “It’s sad that we have to get to a situation where a gate has to be fitted at all. But if you’re running a business and people are helping themselves then there is no choice.”

Crystal Greenland said it was a ‘sad necessity’.

READ MORE: RIAT: Red Arrows cancel display near Oxfordshire border

“Now that the police have absolutely no resources to deal with thefts and many are not even able to be prosecuted, the stores are having to take drastic measures,” she said.

Mike Price said it was a ‘sad sign of the times.’

“Too many dishonest people around so, to be fair, they are left with little choice,” he said.

Jez Fernandez said: “Shoplifting has (I believe) become a coordinated problem. Sadly, these are necessary security measures.

“It’s a bit of a pain, but I had no problems scanning out this morning.”

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: "This is not new and is just one of a range of security measures. It is used in a small number of our stores at our self service checkout areas.”