Waitrose staff target ‘free coffee’ thieves

WAITROSE staff are having to snoop on customers in an attempt to stop an epidemic of coffee theft, it is claimed.

Earlier this year, the supermarket chain introduced restrictions on the ‘free’ coffees it offers to holders of its loyalty card.

The change meant customers had to make a purchase before being given a cup at the till to be used to fill up with a coffee. However, shoppers have come up with a series of tricks to try to beat the system.

At the Canary Wharf store in East London some are taking the disposable cups home and washing them, so they can be re-used time and again to fill up.

Others are buying a cheap item, such as a banana for 25p, and then sitting in the store cafe for hours and sneaking refills when staff are not looking.

The problem is so bad Waitrose staff are having to police the coffee machines in some locations to stop the abuse.

One said: ‘People are being incredibly selfish and greedy ... I think the scheme will be scrapped if the thefts continue.’

A Waitrose spokesman denied there was a widespread problem and said most customers understood a free tea or coffee was a ‘thank you’ for shopping there.