Staff at major supermarket chain told they could be sacked for challenging shoplifters

Co op employees have been instructed to avoid confronting or making physical contact with shoplifters, and that to do so would constitute grounds for immediate dismissal. The supermarket chain has issued company directives to workers not to intervene when they witness thieves brazenly helping themselves to merchandise and leaving stores without paying. It comes amid growing frustration over a persistent inability to tackle common retail theft. Shoplifting across England and Wales reached