A mum shopping with her young daughter says she was made to feel “like a criminal” after being “detained” by an Asda security guard.
Sophie Powell visited the supermarket in Bouverie Place, Folkestone, on Wednesday morning with seven-year-old Alanah.
Sophie Powell and her seven-year-old daughter, Alanah, were stopped at Asda in Folkestone. Picture: Barry Goodwin
She bought milk and a jar of pasta sauce and paid at the self-scan till, but clicked no when the machine asked if she wanted a receipt.
Alanah was hungry, so they went to the supermarket cafe before re-entering the main store to meet up with her partner, who was also shopping.
But, as she went to leave with her bag of purchases in tow, she and Alanah were stopped by a security guard.
Miss Powell recalled: “She said, ‘Have you got a receipt?’
“I said no, and showed her the items. She said, ‘You’re not leaving until you show me your receipt’.
“I was a bit shocked. You start to panic a little bit.
Sophie Powell has vowed not to shop at Asda again. Picture: Barry Goodwin
“She was very rude and confrontational with me and still demanding a receipt, so I went to leave the store because I’ve paid for these items, I’ve got nothing to hide.
“She physically stood in front of me and my daughter and barred us from going.”
Eventually, a manager came over, apologised to the pair, and let them go.
Bosses at the supermarket chain have now also said sorry to Miss Powell, adding they only ask for proof of purchase “with the best intentions”.
But Miss Powell says she was left embarrassed by the ordeal, which reduced Alanah to tears.
Sophie Powell says the ordeal left her seven-year-old daughter, Alanah, in tears. Picture: Barry Goodwin
“It made me feel very singled out, like a criminal with my seven-year-old – she was in absolute tears,” she told KentOnline.
“She was confused, because we were not allowed to leave and were kind of detained at the security thing.
“I’m just totally taken aback by the whole ordeal of it. In no way have I suggested that I was taking anything.
“To physically stop me from leaving the store was the bit that I was not comfortable with. That’s what made me feel like I’m a criminal.
Seven-year-old Alanah was left in tears after the ordeal. Picture: Barry Goodwin
“I was just utterly shocked and embarrassed.”
While the line manager apologised at the time, telling her the guard was likely “having a bad day”, the mum has vowed not to shop at Asda again.
She also wants a formal apology and an explanation from the company.
The care worker added: “I understand shoplifting is really bad, but you have to have a reason to stop, or a suspicion to stop, somebody.
“At the self-check-out, you have a camera pointing at you.
“I had gone through that process, to then be stopped and absolutely humiliated when there was clearly no evidence for her to stop me at that point.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “We want every customer to have a positive experience when shopping with us.
“While we may occasionally ask for proof of purchase, this is always done with the best intentions.
“We’re sorry to hear about Sophie’s experience and have asked for her contact details so we can speak with her directly and better understand her concerns.”