Special constable sacked after failing to pay for carrier bags

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 18:57 · Archive

Luke Hodgson, a special constable with West Mercia Police, was dismissed after failing to pay for carrier bags worth £1.20 from Sainsbury's on three occasions.

Luke Hodgson, a special constable at West Mercia Police, has been dismissed from his unpaid role after failing to pay for plastic carrier bags at Sainsbury's, where he also worked. Over the course of twelve days in December 2025, he took bags worth 40p on three separate occasions without paying, totalling £1.20.

Sainsbury's dismissed him for gross misconduct on 12 December 2025 following a disciplinary hearing. Hodgson then faced a misconduct hearing regarding his policing role, chaired by Chief Constable Richard Cooper in July. The hearing found he had breached standards of professional behaviour for honesty, integrity and discreditable conduct.

While Hodgson claimed he had inadvertently failed to pay, the hearing concluded he knew payment was required and deliberately chose not to pay. The chief constable noted that Hodgson had received training on the self-service tills and had on other occasions, including after a late shift, paid for bags properly. The hearing found his dishonesty fundamentally undermined his ability to function as a police officer.

Hodgson repaid the money and fully cooperated with the investigation. He had no previous disciplinary issues during his service. He has been placed on the barred list, preventing him from joining another police force.

How it is being reported

• Police officer sacked for stealing 40p carrier bags from Sainsbury’sLuke Hodgson repaid the money and fully cooperated with the investigation - but a police misconduct hearing concluded he had failed to meet the high standards of policing, and he was dismissed without noticeThe Independent · 13 Oct, 18:39
• Special constable sacked from police after not paying £1.20 for carrier bags at Sainsbury's self-service checkoutLuke Hodgson, a special constable with West Mercia Police, was dismissed by Sainsbury's for failing to pay for the 40p carriers on three occasions in the space of a fortnight.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 17:46

In this story: Luke Hodgson · West Mercia Police · Sainsbury's · Richard Cooper

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