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.

Interior view of a Tesco Express store with alcohol and cigarettes behind protective barriers.A Tesco Express in Brighton has put all beer and wine behind the tills

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.

Alcohol and beer in a Tesco Express store are behind a protective glass partition at the self-checkout.Shoppers must now request all booze, which is locked away with ­spirits and cigarettes
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