Police have responded to an incident at an east Auckland supermarket in which members of the public are understood to have confronted a pair of young shoplifters.

The situation unfolded at the Woolworths at Meadowlands Shopping Centre just after 12pm today, April 29.

A Times staff member who was at the scene was told a woman had taken a basket containing items from the supermarket without paying.

While leaving the store the alleged thief was confronted by a man who had seen what she was doing.

An altercation broke out, with other members of the public stepping in.

The female shoplifter went outside to her vehicle to put the items into it before returning with another female.

More people then attempted to intervene in the situation as others phoned police.

A police spokesperson says: “Two youth offenders have been arrested for allegedly shoplifting groceries at the Meadowlands Plaza.

“Police received reports from the public beginning at 12.20pm.

“A vehicle which had fled the shopping centre was stopped nearby.

“Groceries with an estimated value of $300 will be returned to the supermarket.

“Police are also investigating an alleged assault on another young person who was attempting to prevent the shoplifting.”

Woolworths NZ declined to comment on the incident but provided a statement relating to the number of assaults committed at its supermarkets.

“In the last year there have been 925 acts of violence and aggression in Woolworths stores, up from 848 in the previous year – a nine per cent increase,” it says.

“Physical assaults have had a particularly notable increase with a 50 per cent jump to 329 incidents in the last 12 months, compared to 219 in the previous year.

“Pleasingly, there has been a reduction in the use of weapons with a 22 per cent drop on the previous year.”

Woolworths NZ’s director of stores, Jason Stockill, says what they’re seeing from offenders coming into stores is unacceptable and while new security measures are having a positive effect, more needs to be done.

“Woolworths has introduced a range of security and safety measures into its stores as part of its $45 million three-year investment programme.

“These measures include team safety cameras in all stores, trolley lock systems, fog cannons, double-entry gates and anti-sweep shelving.

“Further security measures are being considered including duress alarms for team members working in isolated locations.”