In the Sincan district of Ankara, a practice at a chain supermarket where customers were required to have their bags taped and left in locked lockers upon entering the store has been terminated following complaints made to the municipality.
Citizens applied to the Sincan Municipality, stating that they were forced to have their bags taped and left in lockers at the entrance when they entered the market for shopping. While it was claimed that the practice was implemented to prevent theft, the complaints were also forwarded to the municipality's WhatsApp notification lines.
Following the applications, municipal police teams launched an investigation. During the inspection, it was determined through camera footage that security guards were taking custody of customers' bags, taping them, and placing them in locked lockers in the cloakroom section.
PRACTICE REMOVED AFTER OFFICIAL NOTICE
Sincan Municipality sent an official notice to the business following the findings. The notice stated that the practice in question was incompatible with fundamental rights such as personal liberty and security, consumer legislation, and property rights. It was warned that administrative action could be taken if the practice continued.
The matter was also referred to the Ministry of Trade. Following the municipality's notice, the business ended the practice of taping customers' bags and placing them in lockers.
Sincan Municipality General Coordinator İsmail Can Ocak stated that inspections conducted at the supermarket branches showed that the practice was no longer being carried out.
“We stand by all our tradespeople who do the right thing and support our citizens. We also thank the businesses that abandon their mistakes and listen to our requests. We have not allowed any practice in Sincan that offends our citizens to date, and with God's permission, we will not allow it from now on either.”
Ocak emphasized that they understand the security concerns of businesses, but that these should not be addressed through methods that victimize customers. Stating that they are ready to develop joint methods with the district governor's office, the police, and market managers to combat theft, Ocak said, “The way to do this is not by taping bags or purses, or by treating citizens like second-class people.”
News Source: 12punto
