Doncaster shopper calls for more security at Tesco stores to enforce social distancing rules

Tesco recently announced it would be introducing a number of new measures at all its stores, including one-way aisles and a ‘one in, one out’ policy, to ensure shoppers are kept safe during lockdown.

The changes, announced by CEO Dave Lewis, have been welcomed by both customers and employees, but some say they do not go far enough.

One Doncaster resident, who visited a store in Balby, claimed the supermarket giant had ‘failed’ to consider how to police the new guidelines and called for them to employ more security staff.

“Tesco has worked hard to ensure people are safe when they do their shopping but they have failed in one important area,” the concerned resident said. “They are not enforcing the guidelines.

“I went on Thursday, April 9, and tried hard to follow the arrows and keep my distance. It was impossible because of other people not doing the same.

“They were going the opposite direction up the aisles thereby passing you at a close distance, would not wait patiently at a safe distance until the next person moved on and were leaning over you to reach items. Neither were the pickers observing the rules either.

“Tesco need to employ extra security inside the store to ensure compliance or remove the offenders from the store. Despite their efforts, it is not safe to shop in a Tesco store. I have had several people claiming the same experience and one who was told if it happens to tell a member of staff who will ask the person to leave.

“The staff have received enough abuse they shouldn't have to deal with this too. Security guards to ensure compliance is required.”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We have introduced measures to protect our customers and colleagues, and ensure that everyone in our stores maintains a safe distance.

“We're asking customers to help by following some simple requests when they shop with us and in stores where we are experiencing significantly high volumes of people we are putting in additional security measures, including more security staff."