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.
