Tesco store raided by thieves who smashed ceiling and climbed over tills to steal tobacco
A Tesco store was raided by thieves who smashed a ceiling and climbed over tills to rob the tobacco counter.
The incident was recorded by numerous people in the store, including a security guard, who caught the thugs hacking down ceiling panels to climb up and over the glass barriers around the tills at the store in Forest Gate, Newham, east London.
The two thieves, dressed in all black, then began to load their bags with tobacco and alcohol, ransacking the store in the process.
As the security guard filmed the incident, a customer can be saying “call the police right now”, whilst a worried mother can later be seen hurrying her two children out of the store.
The two men then dashed out of the store, whilst the security guard and a member of the public continued to film.
Footage shows a ransacked till area, with contents from behind the cash decks being discarded on the floor.
Social media users voiced their dismay at the security guard’s apparent lack of action.
“Welcome to 2024 where crimes are recorded on phones instead of being prevented,” one user said.
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“Is that the new security training.. filming it?,” a second said: “What happened to preventing and stopping them?”
“One question: Why are shops wasting money on security?,” a third commented.
Another user said: “Why do Tesco security guards always do precisely nothing? Filming something that’s already on CCTV.”
The Metropolitan Police said that it was investigating the incident which took place at around 7.20pm on Thursday.
A statement from the force said: “Officers are investigating the theft of items from the Tesco store in Katherine Road, E7 at around 7.20pm Thursday, 12 September.
“There has been no arrest but enquiries continue.
“Anyone who may know the identity of those shown in footage of the incident, which is being shared on social media, should call 101 ref 6318/12sep. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers.”