People are stealing shopping baskets from Tesco because of the new 5p plastic bag charge
A Tesco store has been forced to put security tags on shopping baskets after shoppers began stealing them following the introduction of the 5p plastic bag charge.
The store in Chadderton, Oldham has reportedly had a third of its baskets stolen since the charge was brought into force across England on 5th October.
Managers say they have now tried to 'thief-proof' the wire baskets to prevent more thefts.
A spokesman for Tesco said tagging baskets was not a national policy and it was down to managers at individual stores to decide whether or not to introduce tagged baskets.
The new 5p charge aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic carrier bags, and the litter associated with them, by encouraging people to re-use bags or to use ‘bags for life’.