Shopper plays pop with store

Adam Zambrzycki, 25, of Iris Crescent, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, had spent £60 at his local Tesco the day before.

He had bought eight bottles of Value lemonade priced at 14p each and showed one to the cashier, telling her he had another seven in his trolley.

Mr Zambrzycki paid for his goods and left but afterwards a security guard recorded the number plates of his friend's car on CCTV and contacted the police, who traced the driver and in turn located Mr Zambrzycki.

They visited him, but when he explained what had happened and showed his receipt they agreed to take £1 down to the store - and even asked him if he wanted the change.

Mr Zambrzycki said: "It was a bit over the top as I had spent £60 anyway.

"I am not the sort of person to run out the shop with seven bulky bottles of pop.

"It was quiet and the cashier looked over and saw the bottles in my trolley."

Mr Zambrzycki is furious that the store the called the police and did not clarify the situation while he was there.

He said: "It was the first time I have been there but won't be going back.

"It is ludicrous when you think of how much it would have cost for the call-out, the petrol, the man hours. It's ridiculous."

Durham Police confirmed they were called after the incident on June 24.

A spokesman said: "The incident was investigated but no further action was taken and it was resolved satisfactorily."

Tesco has apologised to Mr Zambrzycki after it was contacted by the Advertiser.

A spokesman said: "It appears in this case a security guard acted in an over-zea-lous manner and took the decision to contact the police.

"He had seen this guy and had some suspicions about what had happened and what hadn't been paid for.

"Ultimately, it's the police's decision to visit the customer at home but we recognise that this wasn't the most appropriate course of action.

"We will be in contact with the customer to apologise and offer him something as a gesture of goodwill."