SHOPPERS who fail to scan items at self-checkouts will see VAR-style replays in a fresh clampdown on thefts.
A camera above records packing actions at the till.
If an item is bagged illicitly, Sainsbury’s punters are shown the video and told: “Looks like that last item didn’t scan.
“Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.”
The measure has been brought in after police logged 516,971 incidents of shoplifting last year — up from 429,873 in 2023.
Shoppers’ reactions have been mixed, with one saying they were sent the warning because the packet of basil they bought was “too light”.
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Another joked: “Thanks to Sainsbury’s, I can now re-live and learn from my packing mistakes.
“I can almost hear (Sky pundit) Jamie Carragher lamenting my positioning.”
A retail source said: “It’s a deterrent to shoplifters.
“Most people have made a genuine mistake while scanning, which is detected by the scales.
“It’s a more gentle reminder than red flashing lights and a member of staff coming over.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said the chain regularly reviews its security measures in stores.
Despite shoplifting being at a record high, just one in five incidents reported resulted in a charge — and more than half ended with no suspect identified.
Tom Ironside, of the British Retail Consortium, said the crime is costing firms £2billion a year.
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