A THEFT-hit Tesco Express has put all beer and wine behind the tills.
Shoppers must now request all booze, which is locked away with spirits and cigarettes.
The move — thought to be a first for a major chain — was brought in to counter “rife” shoplifting at the store in Brighton.
The city council initially tried to stop it selling any alcohol due to crime.
But it relented when told that Tesco would take extra security measures.
A cashier said: “Too many people were stealing. It’s bad here.”
We told last year how some Tesco branches kept doors locked until staff had checked shoppers outside on CCTV.
Figures show 516,971 reported shop thefts last year, around one a minute.
But the real total is said to be much higher.
Tesco has been invited to comment.
