‘What could possibly be next?’ rage shoppers as major supermarket slaps security tags on its BASKETS to stop shoplifters

A MAJOR supermarket has slapped security tags on its baskets in an attempt to stop shoplifters.

As the cost-of-living increases, store thefts are at “epidemic levels” – with cops previously being urged to “take a zero tolerance approach” to thieves.

In the latest bid to stamp out theft, Tesco has rolled out extreme measures of attaching tags to baskets and putting theft stickers on its spuds.

Cases of shoplifting in the UK have surged to record levels — with 1,300 reported every 24 hours.

Stores in Harlow, Essex, and Highams Park, North East London, are among those with basket tags.

A source said: “Thieves have been so brazen that they would fill up an entire basket and walk away.

“What are they going to do next, give shoppers tags to wear until they can prove they’re not stealing?”

One Essex shopper previously told The Independent how shocked he was to see the measures in place at his Theydon Bois store.

He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw they had stuck tags on shopping baskets – I mean, what are you going to do with one of them?

“Is there nothing these people won’t nick?”

It comes after one Tesco branch in Bristol started screening customers via CCTV before letting them in the store.

Tesco told The Sun not every branch has the policy in place and the decision to put tags on baskets is at the discretion of store teams.