Hi all, I am compelled to warn people about the security guards within the store known as Primark.

On Saturday the 11th of December, myself, my son, my wife, my sister and her fiancee went into Primark to purchase a coat for my son, we entered the store and was promptly followed by a security guard, obviously cautious due to my sisters fiancee wearing a backpack style bag.

We purchased the coat and while walking towards the exit was approached by the security guard who came up to myself and said "OUT", when questioned for what reason, he again replied "OUT" and stated that we was being "sarcastic" of which was ridiculous, he then continued to be very rude and nasty to me and fellow family members by trying to get us to leave the shop, so I felt it my right to speak to the manager to complain about this unfair attempt at ejection, I went up to the counter and the staff behind the counter tried to help to some degree but the security guard again came up to us and said very rudely "there is no point trying to see the manager, you are not allowed to speak to him" at this point, my sisters fiancee was getting very irate and if we had not left the shop, fists would have flown, so we felt that we had better leave before things escalated.

The thing that really iritates me is the fact that we did nothing to justify this treatment and it was a security guard abusing his power, so, be careful when shopping at Primark in town, you might get a similar experience.

I'm just interested to know if you are going to write and complain? I would! Or phone and complain! That sounds totally out of order!

Originally posted by Kry10
Hi all, I am compelled to warn people about the security guards within the store known as Primark.

On Saturday the 11th of December, myself, my son, my wife, my sister and her fiancee went into Primark to purchase a coat for my son, we entered the store and was promptly followed by a security guard, obviously cautious due to my sisters fiancee wearing a backpack style bag.

We purchased the coat and while walking towards the exit was approached by the security guard who came up to myself and said "OUT", when questioned for what reason, he again replied "OUT" and stated that we was being "sarcastic" of which was ridiculous, he then continued to be very rude and nasty to me and fellow family members by trying to get us to leave the shop, so I felt it my right to speak to the manager to complain about this unfair attempt at ejection, I went up to the counter and the staff behind the counter tried to help to some degree but the security guard again came up to us and said very rudely "there is no point trying to see the manager, you are not allowed to speak to him" at this point, my sisters fiancee was getting very irate and if we had not left the shop, fists would have flown, so we felt that we had better leave before things escalated.

The thing that really iritates me is the fact that we did nothing to justify this treatment and it was a security guard abusing his power, so, be careful when shopping at Primark in town, you might get a similar experience.


that is bang out out of order i once had a nasty experience with a security guard at the old hmv on high street i made a complaint to the manager next day he wasnt there id make a complaint to the store manager if that doesnt work take it higher ie head office

Sorry that you experienced this and don't want to sound rude but. . I'm insanely jealous. .

Why doesn't stuff like this happen to me. .
In situations like this, I know im as stubborn as a mule with concrete hooves and I don't think I'd have shifted till he either called the police or forcefully removed, and then I'd have tripped, "oh, my leg. . you forced that injury"

I had similair problems in the safeway onm the moor. I used to work round the corner and would go there to get lunch most days. But was persisitently followed round the store by the same security gaurd. Iknow i may look a bit suspicious with my long hair, beard and scruffy appearance, but to be talied all the tyime got too much. So I madce a written complaint to the store manager, detailing the problem. Recieved a phonecall from the manager apologising for my treatment and got a £20 voucher as well.
It pays to complain.
J

I'd be more concerned if I was walking past and one of the guards shouted "IN"!

Joking aside, you should write a letter to Primark's management. Chances are they know nothing about the staff they are employing. Failing that, I'd be inclined to inform your solicitor as this was a slur on your reputation.

I know I wouldn't just let it go!

I'm gutted things like that don't happen to me either. I'd have decked him. Simple as that. Sounds similar to how bouncers behave. People like that think they are 10 men. Stand up to them and they all go crying to their mummies.

Originally posted by nez75
I'm gutted things like that don't happen to me either. I'd have decked him. Simple as that. Sounds similar to how bouncers behave. People like that think they are 10 men. Stand up to them and they all go crying to their mummies.
As much I loath to agree with Nez ;) I'd probably do the same - or say I'll go outside but he's coming with me.

No need for it when it's not called for if you ask me :rant:

Good old rent a cop on minimum wage. The power (or lack of it) goes to their head :D

Put your complaint in you might get some freebies

http://www.primark.co.uk/all_store_details.php?store_no=535

I used to work at the Primark in Rotherham, and to be honest the management arent that great, they treat their staff like crap, I had once been in the hospital and asked if i could use a chair for a couple of weeks at the till, I was only 15 and did a 4 hour shift on a saturday and they told me I couldnt have one and that if I had a problem with it then they didnt care, I ended up leaving because I couldnt stand up for the 4 hours.

Susie
xx

the security in primark work for an agency and not the store find out the name and address of the company and complain to them as well as the store

I can assure you all that a complaint shall be made to the relevant people, this will not just be laid to rest as I felt mistreated and did not deserve this kind of treatment from a jumped up copper with a hitler complex, if people like this get away with it, what is to stop them taking things further.

I shall keep you all posted.

its those lovely uniforms and hats they wear - you'd expect to be paid well to dress up in fancy dress but alas no.

It seems like VERY odd random behaviour.

What did you do to cause it?

As an ex security supervisor I feel digusted with the treatment you received. Unfortunately when some people put on a uniform they become bullies. A lot of security companies employ people who have no proper appitude for the job and don't even do the correct reference checks with the police and past employers. I believe that new rules are going to be introduced, making it law that security officers have to be licenced and properly trained. That should make things better. I got really fed up of working with morons and thugs.

Originally posted by Tony
It seems like VERY odd random behaviour.

What did you do to cause it?

That is the whole point, we did nothing, absolutely nothing.

If we had been commiting a crime or being a niusance to others, then I could agree with the guard as he would be simply doing his job, but on this occasion he was unjustified in the way that he dealt with things.

Good old rent a cop on minimum wage. The power (or lack of it) goes to their head
These people used to be called "Night Watchmen".
The people who could not read and write got these jobs.
They now think that they are on par with the Police, what a joke.
To all security guards (:loopy: ) you are no match for our police force, you have no more powers of arrest than anyone else.
You (or your employers) embarass you by dressing you up with a fake police uniform, and as for the ones i have seen with handcuffs, give me a break, get a life saddos

you should complain!
1)because you were ill treated
and 2) because my friend went to pay for something at boots and they swiped her card and it wudnt work so the lady on the till did it again and again and again and eventually my mate sed look it dont matter ill get some cash and come back and when she got to the cash machine boots had took £40 out of her account and she had absolutley nothing! She complained online and a lady rang her and said they were sending her £25 in vouchers. her mum called her when she was at mine yesterday to say a letter had come from boots for her and my friend told her to read it to her and theyd sent her £40 in vouchers! so shes got £65 for boots sale! :hihi:
so the moral in that story is you should always complain once but sometimes even twice!

good luck kry in your complaints.

p.s does it really take all those ppl to buy a coat? :D just kidding :D :P
Originally posted by Kry10
On Saturday the 11th of December, myself, my son, my wife, my sister and her fiancee went into Primark to purchase a coat for my son,

From personal knowledge of how security officers work, I can tell you that if you're in a group of teenagers, or late teens to mid twenties, or a single man dressed somewhat scruffily, you will be picked up instantly by the security guards and followed.

However, this pratt had no reason to order you out of the shop, to be honest they can't order you to leave a shop unless you have received a letter by the management BANNING you from the premises.

Get in touch with the Security Company and lodge your complaint. I'll wish you luck, although it probably won't get you anywhere. These morons do seem to think that they have more rights than anyone else.

And the minimum wage sleight is totally correct.

Oh, and next time we're in Sheffield, my hubby says he's going to visit Sheffield's Primark, totally unshaven, with a backpack and see what happens. ;)

I have been followed by the security in Primark and they made it quite obvious that they were. I went in to buy a t-shirt and on my way out stopped to look at some coats, I started to roll about laughing as I could see the guard behind a wall peering round at me trying to look inconspicuous.

Primark: security supllied by the Sweeny!

sounds totally out of order. But they can ask you to leave, and if you don't they can use force to remove you.

They can ask you to leave sure, but they have to have valid reasons for actuating common assault. They have to be 100% sure that they have the grounds to do so, otherwise they could face charges.

you not leaving after being asked 3 times is sufficient grounds for them to remove you physically. The same applies to anyone who has been asked to leave from private property by a representative of the owner.

The law for removal of someone trespassing on private property states that reasonable force maybe used to remove someone who refuses to leave willingly.

The fudge is 'reasonable' - it's a little vague, but the guard would be able to 'guide' you off the property by holding your arm if you refused to go. More than that would depend entirely on how you reacted.

cyclone and rinty.
reasonable force by anyone could be classed as common assault ( dont blame me see the do gooders for that)
Did you know that you could walk into my home and sit on the sofa, and unless you caused any damage, there is nothing me or the police could do. thank the system for that

Primark may have the legal right to ask you to leave their store for no reason, but that doesn't exactly scream good customer service does it!
If the guard was initially following you because he was supsicious of the back pack, the chances are they were filming it too, so the whole incident is probably on tape in the store somewhere.
I've worked in a few different M&S stores in my time and the security guys there were always excellent (I think the used a company called Sabre security). Even when they caught some red handed, they would deal with them professionally and without prejudice, so it's a shame there are a few bad apples in the trade.

Originally posted by Kry10
Hi all, I am compelled to warn people about the security guards within the store known as Primark.

On Saturday the 11th of December, myself, my son, my wife, my sister and her fiancee went into Primark to purchase a coat for my son, we entered the store and was promptly followed by a security guard, obviously cautious due to my sisters fiancee wearing a backpack style bag.

We purchased the coat and while walking towards the exit was approached by the security guard who came up to myself and said "OUT", when questioned for what reason, he again replied "OUT" and stated that we was being "sarcastic" of which was ridiculous, he then continued to be very rude and nasty to me and fellow family members by trying to get us to leave the shop, so I felt it my right to speak to the manager to complain about this unfair attempt at ejection, I went up to the counter and the staff behind the counter tried to help to some degree but the security guard again came up to us and said very rudely "there is no point trying to see the manager, you are not allowed to speak to him" at this point, my sisters fiancee was getting very irate and if we had not left the shop, fists would have flown, so we felt that we had better leave before things escalated.

The thing that really iritates me is the fact that we did nothing to justify this treatment and it was a security guard abusing his power, so, be careful when shopping at Primark in town, you might get a similar experience.

i work in primark on a saturday, could you describe the security gaurd (i assume u mean in Sheffield Primark), we have 2 so i want to know which one

I really hate it when security guards make it obvious they are watching someone. They are there to reduce the losses to the store through shoplifting, but if there was a way of measuring it, it may show that they 'scare off' valid customers to an extent that the store loses more money through lost custom. I certainly wouldn't ever set foot in primark ever again if that had happened to me. And, like you i'd make sure lots of people got to know about it - power to the people!

ive only been in primark once,because i felt so uncomforable because of the security guards following me round,i would complain very loudly,please complain your well within your rights, good luck:)

Originally posted by viking
cyclone and rinty.
reasonable force by anyone could be classed as common assault ( dont blame me see the do gooders for that)
Did you know that you could walk into my home and sit on the sofa, and unless you caused any damage, there is nothing me or the police could do. thank the system for that

that's a complete load of rubbish.
You can remove someone from your premises using reasonable force (reasonable will depend on the level of resistance).
The police can remove a trespasser also using reasonable force, although it's not an arrestable offence. If they persist in trying to return they could be arrested under public order offences.
reasonable force is just that, reasonable. As to what is reasonable and when it becomes assault, that's down to a jury to decide if someone you remove claims that you assaulted them. If it was someone (maybe a tv license inspector) that barged into your home then the jury would be sympathetic unless you beat them to a pulp using a baseball bat or something else clearly excessive.

why dont you print of all the threads and send them to primark im sure they will take action when they read what people think about the gaurds behaviour

It's very rarely that it pays to get worked up about someone treating you with disrespect. Move on. You can get all huffy, complain and hope you'll get a gift token and a gracious apology but if you do it's the start of a lifetime of professional complaining that will eventually lead to wrinkles and loneliness. Much more likely any effort you take will only result in even more frustration and what might you otherwise have done with that time? Beautiful things that enriched your life, that's what.

Who cares how shabbily primark secruity personnel behave? It reflects worse on them that it does on you. Just be glad you don't have their job or their attitude.

Forget it.

I'd have returned to the counter and asked for a refund on the coat. When asked why, explain that you've been unfairly treated as a customer and have been embarrassed by the security. As a paying customer you want better treatment. I'd have asked for the security guy's name, the assistant's name and the manager's name, received your refund and then contacted head office.

Originally posted by chill
If the guard was initially following you because he was supsicious of the back pack, the chances are they were filming it too, so the whole incident is probably on tape in the store somewhere.


Under the data protection act, they are legally obliged to provide you with a video tape of it, if you request it.

Originally posted by thenewborn
i work in primark on a saturday, could you describe the security gaurd (i assume u mean in Sheffield Primark), we have 2 so i want to know which one

He was a well built guy, about 6 foot tall, probably a bit more, I remember this as I had to look up at him to see his face, short brown hair, that is as much as I can recall, I spoke to the lady supervisor on the floor up the first little flight of stairs, so she might remember.

Perhaps one of your party fitted a description of someone who had been shoplifting in a different store. Shops operate on radio systems, don't they so they can notify each other of shoplifters/suspects.

Now I am not suggesting anyone of your party would ever do such a thing, what I am suggesting if someone on the radio says look out for this person - Brown hair, 5ft 5, and is wearing a rucksack. It could correlate to a number of people causing the mistake?

However if I had been in your situation I would have stood my ground, and asked them to give me a reason why. If they suggested in anyway I was shoplifting, I would ask them to prove it and show me the video evidence. This has happened to my partner/boyfriend before, he took a car bulb with him to a shop, so he could make sure he was buying the right fitment. However after he had bought the product he was looking for, a security guard aproached him and suggested he had stolen the spare bulb he took in with him, Anyway they couldn't provide any video evidence to back up the statement suprisingly.

So after ripping shreds into the security guard, asking him what someone who probably earns 5 times his salary would want to steal a 50p bulb for especially when bulbs come in pairs. I also told him he wasn't suited to his job as he was shaking like a leaf and looked like he was going to faint, and perhaps he should take up a different profession. We were let go after that.

prob shouldnt say this but primark doesnt have CCTV so no video evidence possible

Originally posted by MovingOn
From personal knowledge of how security officers work, I can tell you that if you're in a group of teenagers, or late teens to mid twenties, or a single man dressed somewhat scruffily, you will be picked up instantly by the security guards and followed.

Oh, and next time we're in Sheffield, my hubby says he's going to visit Sheffield's Primark, totally unshaven, with a backpack and see what happens. ;)

I have a store card account for a very well known posh departmant store in Sheffield.
I'm about to do my annual Christmas wild-goose-chase in there shortly...
You see, when I was a teenager I was harrassed in there for no reason by a store detective/ guard type.
Just because I was a hippy.
I've never forgiven this. :nono:
So come Christmas when the shop's very busy I deliberately 'dress down' :gag: & go shopping.
I can spend a good couple of hours choosing a roll a of wrapping paper & travelling the escelators/ lift.
I'll nip & have a cuppa & retrace my steps.
Eventually I get bored when the entourage of store detectives look suitably twitchy :shakes: :mad: & go to the checkout.
I always pay with my store card no matter how small the purchase. I always get called sir :D by a middle-aged woman who has just taken a slice of lemon out of her mouth. :?
The store D's always split in different directions when the card comes out.
AND IT NEVER CEASES TO BE FUNNY! :clap: :banana: :hihi:

Originally posted by Cyclone
that's a complete load of rubbish.
You can remove someone from your premises using reasonable force (reasonable will depend on the level of resistance).
The police can remove a trespasser also using reasonable force, although it's not an arrestable offence. If they persist in trying to return they could be arrested under public order offences.
reasonable force is just that, reasonable. As to what is reasonable and when it becomes assault, that's down to a jury to decide if someone you remove claims that you assaulted them. If it was someone (maybe a tv license inspector) that barged into your home then the jury would be sympathetic unless you beat them to a pulp using a baseball bat or something else clearly excessive.

Add to that the chance that anyone who has been removed by order could well get an injuction slapped on them forbidding them to return for 3 months. If they do, that's a criminal offence I believe.

Originally posted by Kry10
Hi all, I am compelled to warn people about the security guards within the store known as Primark.

On Saturday the 11th of December, myself, my son, my wife, my sister and her fiancee went into Primark to purchase a coat for my son, we entered the store and was promptly followed by a security guard, obviously cautious due to my sisters fiancee wearing a backpack style bag.

We purchased the coat and while walking towards the exit was approached by the security guard who came up to myself and said "OUT", when questioned for what reason, he again replied "OUT" and stated that we was being "sarcastic" of which was ridiculous, he then continued to be very rude and nasty to me and fellow family members by trying to get us to leave the shop, so I felt it my right to speak to the manager to complain about this unfair attempt at ejection, I went up to the counter and the staff behind the counter tried to help to some degree but the security guard again came up to us and said very rudely "there is no point trying to see the manager, you are not allowed to speak to him" at this point, my sisters fiancee was getting very irate and if we had not left the shop, fists would have flown, so we felt that we had better leave before things escalated.

The thing that really iritates me is the fact that we did nothing to justify this treatment and it was a security guard abusing his power, so, be careful when shopping at Primark in town, you might get a similar experience.

Was this man 6 foot 4 with a shaved head.


:clap:

Originally posted by Kry10
He was a well built guy, about 6 foot tall, probably a bit more, I remember this as I had to look up at him to see his face, short brown hair, that is as much as I can recall, I spoke to the lady supervisor on the floor up the first little flight of stairs, so she might remember.
I know who you mean. i have seen him there alot and he stands like hes some big hard guy with lots of power. He looks a right ***Hole!

Originally posted by MarkB
I know who you mean. i have seen him there alot and he stands like hes some big hard guy with lots of power. He looks a right ***Hole!


That is him LOL:clap:

Originally posted by thenewborn
prob shouldnt say this but primark doesnt have CCTV so no video evidence possible

So I can give this guy a good kick in the NUTS then:clap:

Seems to me that security guards, and some bouncers, get carried away with some illusion of power.

They stand there trying to look really hard and aggressive, but what makes me laugh is that some, quite obviously, couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag!

I am a regular shopper at Primark (oh, the shame!) and never have any problems despite always having a rucksack (I'm a 21 year old female student) and usually looking a bit scruffy! They do tend to latch onto people though, I've noticed that. And they hange around a lot by the accessories and lingerie area, I presume because these products are small and easy enough to slip into bags without being seen.

I think they have a huge problem with stealing (dunno why, it's cheap enough as it is!!) and as most of their stuff costs under a tenner it doesn't warrant having security tags so they just have a couple of big guys scaring you off! I've never seen them behave that way before, perhaps like someone said it's because you may have matched a description on the radio - that said though, he should have called the police or searched you, not been rude.

Write to the manager and whilst I doubt you'll get freebies (they are tight and not a massively ethical company) you should get an apology.

Not wanting to sound catty.. but.. :D why would anyone go shoplifting in Primark.. You could fill three carrier bags with clothes for £20 so why would anyone steal from them.

Thought most shoplifters these days stole for profit, (to order) and picked on the more expensive shops or just nicked all the razor blades and makeup from the shelves to flog.

If someone was going to risk getting caught nickin I would think they would nick something flashy and expensive:confused:

I do still go in there occasionaly but about a year ago for some reason a guard was watching me.
I passed it off at first thinking it was my imagination.
Then when i walked up the steps to the ladies floor the same guard also did and was still staring at me.
I had just came in on a windy day and thought it was maybe because my hair was a mess or something.
(im very clean and tidy usually.)
Then as i went in the corner to look at ladies jackets the guard had gone by then.
I saw two quite well dressed chav style women putting a coat in to a bag.
My immediate reaction was one of amazement, there they were as large as life pinching a coat with no security guards around at all.
I couldn't help but stare ,and one of the women said to me "are you a copper"- her exact words.
I just said no and walked away.
I just couldn't believe that these so called security guards
get it so wrong and follow the wrong people.
and the real thieves get away with it.
They are still under the impression that all thieves dress either average- comfortable etc or a bit below average.
when in actual fact its the opposite.

Oh and i am a 48 year old mother, not a teenager or someone in their twenties, or in a gang.
so what excuse has the guard got for this espionage style behaviour.
And what reason.
(oh god the wind blew my hair out of place i forgot.)

Hi all, I am compelled to warn people about the security guards within the store known as Primark.

On Saturday the 11th of December, myself, my son, my wife, my sister and her fiancee went into Primark to purchase a coat for my son, we entered the store and was promptly followed by a security guard, obviously cautious due to my sisters fiancee wearing a backpack style bag.

We purchased the coat and while walking towards the exit was approached by the security guard who came up to myself and said "OUT", when questioned for what reason, he again replied "OUT" and stated that we was being "sarcastic" of which was ridiculous, he then continued to be very rude and nasty to me and fellow family members by trying to get us to leave the shop, so I felt it my right to speak to the manager to complain about this unfair attempt at ejection, I went up to the counter and the staff behind the counter tried to help to some degree but the security guard again came up to us and said very rudely "there is no point trying to see the manager, you are not allowed to speak to him" at this point, my sisters fiancee was getting very irate and if we had not left the shop, fists would have flown, so we felt that we had better leave before things escalated.

The thing that really iritates me is the fact that we did nothing to justify this treatment and it was a security guard abusing his power, so, be careful when shopping at Primark in town, you might get a similar experience.

guards work for company clled lodge service brook point london

look at the date of the posts think u,ll find this was posted a few yrs ago

guards work for company clled lodge service brook point london

At last! After 4 years the mystery is solved!

Why has a thread FIVE YEARS' old been resurrected?