Tesco shoplifter screams 'help me' as five workers wrestle him in supermarket
The shoplifter was hoisted off the ground by the shop workers
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A suspected shoplifter was caught screaming "help me" as five Tesco workers wrestled him in a supermarket.
The man reportedly was attempting to steal steak from the Tesco Express store in Wembley, less than five minutes away from the England Football stadium.
Staff became aware and five employees rushed over and tackled the man.
Footage posted on social media shows the security guard and four colleagues dragging the man along supermarket aisles as he yells out for help.
The shoplifter was hoisted off the ground by the shop workers
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The incident took place at around 7.25pm on Wednesday. The Metropolitan Police confirmed no arrests had been made after officers attended the supermarket on Empire Way.
One of the Tesco employees can heard shouting: "Call the police, call the police. Call the police" as the man is pulled down the supermarket aisles.
The man attempts to hold onto things in the store to prevent him from being dragged to the floor. The man then replies: "Ah help me, help me. I've done nothing wrong."
The shopper who filmed the incident told The Mirror: "The man came and allegedly tried to steal steak. Police arrived but let him go straight after."
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People took to social media to praise the work of the staff in the supermarket. One Facebook user: "The problem is, no one needs to steal food. Just go to the food bank or community fridge." Another said: "Deserves it."
A Met Police spokesperson said: "We were called at approximately 7.25pm on Wednesday, 4 September after a man had been detained on suspicion of theft by staff at a shop in Empire Way, Wembley.
"Officers attended. The items stolen were returned to the shop and staff confirmed they did not wish to pursue the matter. The man was not arrested."
A Tesco spokesperson said they could not comment due to the police involvement - although no arrests have been made.
It comes as retail groups have said shops across the UK are buying stolen goods from professional shoplifters who thieve to order criminal gangs to feed their addiction problems.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said its members were reporting "high volume" and "very brazen and direct" incidents of shoplifting, with meat, cheese and alcohol items typically being targeted.
Businesses report seeing their items being sold locally or on Facebook or WhatsApp groups after they are stolen.
A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson said they are aware that shoplifters steal from local stores with the intent of selling to other retailers and business owners "often close to where the crime originally took place".