SHOPPERS are now having their bags searched at a budget supermarket's checkouts as part of a 'new policy', causing anger from some customers who feel 'insulted'. 

A female shopper, who declined to be named, said she was searched at the checkout at Aldi in Bath Road, Worcester - although the budget supermarket chain says it is 'not a new policy'.

Kidderminster Shuttle: SEARCHES: Aldi in Bath Road (A38), Worcester SEARCHES: Aldi in Bath Road (A38), Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The shopper told our sister paper, the Worcester News: "The new "policy" is for shoppers to put their empty bags on the conveyor belt and then are required to show the contents and receipts for any other shopping in bags not bought in Aldi.

Kidderminster Shuttle: SURPRISED: James Connell's bag was searched at Aldi - 'despite appearances, I'm not a criminal', he saidSURPRISED: James Connell's bag was searched at Aldi - 'despite appearances, I'm not a criminal', he said (Image: Newsquest)

"So if you shop in B&M before Aldi, as most do, you are required to show the contents of that previous shop along with a receipt to the Aldi cashier.

"When I challenged back they said it was policy to bag search any bags coming in. The elderly gentleman ahead of me said how it insulted his integrity and the family with a baby behind me in the queue were forced to show a soiled potty in a carrier bag that they were understandably embarrassed about."

Kidderminster Shuttle: POLICY: Aldi in Bath Road, Worcester where staff have been searching bags at the checkout POLICY: Aldi in Bath Road, Worcester where staff have been searching bags at the checkout (Image: Newsquest)

When the reporter attended Aldi in Bath Road on Monday and bought soft pitta and a half bloomer for £2.14 he was asked by a staff member to put his Lidl bag on the checkout and she searched it.

She said: "It's a new policy. Could you put your bag on the checkout?" 

The shopper who raised the issue said: "This new procedure has been brought up on neighbourhood groups like next door where lots of Aldi shoppers are very upset.

"Surely there is some consumer privacy protection where searching all your bags isn't necessary. 

I don't believe this is a nationwide policy so what are Bath Road doing?"

A spokesperson for the Aldi said: "To confirm, this is not a new policy."
The Worcester News understands that, in line with other retailers, bag checks are being carried out in stores by our colleagues where needed and that bag checks should only ever be carried out with customers’ permission.

We asked what happened when customers refused to have their bags searched.

The spokesperson added: "The policy was introduced last year but the decision is taken at a store level."

It is understood that bag checks are only ever carried out with the consent of shoppers in stores where needed, and the decision is taken at a store level and customers will not be stopped from making purchases or leaving the store if they refuse to have their bags searched.

An online statement on the Aldi website reads:  "It is a condition of entry that all bags, parcels, prams and containers are presented for inspection.

If you would like one of our staff members to contact you regarding your experience, please complete our Store Feedback Form and a team member will contact you shortly."