Shoppers baffled as Southern Co-op security tag drink cans

The Southern Co-op shop on Archers Road shocked shoppers when anti-theft caps appeared on Monster Energy and Red Bull drinks sold from the fridges.

If not removed by a member of staff, the tag completely secures the can and therefore prevents it from being opened in any way that does not damage the container.

It comes as retailer Co-op has been repeatedly hit by violent shoplifters across all its stores.

Attacks on shopworkers are on the rise, with police cracking down on the problem.

Sophie Rice lives near Archers Road and frequents the Southern Co-op shop on her way to work.

“I think it’s sad that they feel the need to protect something so insignificant,” she said.

“Why are people feeling the need to steal a £1.20 Red Bull?”

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It is not illegal for a person under the age of 16 to buy an energy drink, but most major retailers operate a Challenge 25 policy on highly-caffeinated drinks.

Energy drinks at the Archers Road Southern Co-op store are now being security tagged in a new intiative. (Image: Newsquest) This means that sales at the self-checkout need to be verified by a member of staff.

“It’s an inconvenience because not only am I having to wait to get my ID checked, but now I need someone to take the security tag off my drink,” Sophie said.

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Stickers have also been placed on cans of Red Bull sold at the shop to warn against reselling the energy drinks.

It asks anyone who bought the can from any shop other than Southern Co-op to contact UK Partners Against Crime – a partnership between businesses that tackles repeat offenders, shop theft and anti-social behaviour.

Southern Co-op told the Echo that it would not comment on individual security measures. (Image: Newsquest) “I mean the stickers have got to be because of shoplifting, surely,” said one Solent University student who lives on Archers Road but did not want to be named.

“It’s madness that we’ve got to a point where energy drinks have to be protected from thieves.

“If they’re being resold it’s another issue but it’s not like they are essential for people to drink, if you can’t afford one, don’t buy one, or just don’t bother.”

Southern Co-op told the Echo that it would not discuss individual security measures and that it would not comment on any questions regarding shoplifting issues.

Police and crime commissioner Donna Jones has recently said shoplifting is linked to organised crime.

She said: "Organised crime is linked to shoplifting through networks of offenders who systematically target retail stores, often across multiple regions, to steal high-value items for resale, funding broader criminal enterprises such as drug trafficking or human exploitation.

“The impact of this crime is far reaching, it impacts business owners, staff, and shoppers. It threatens community safety and confidence in our high streets, and it must be stopped.