# Special constable sacked for not paying £1.20 for carrier bags

> Special constable dismissed after failing to pay £1.20 for reusable plastic bags at Sainsbury's self-checkout.
- Title: Special constable sacked for not paying £1.20 for carrier bags
- Summary: Special constable dismissed after failing to pay £1.20 for reusable plastic bags at Sainsbury's self-checkout. Special constable Luke Hodgson was sacked by…
- Keywords: west mercia police, sainsbury's, lukew hodgson, special constable, carrier bags, police misconduct, theft, self-service checkout, news, entertainment, Special, constable
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16202903/Special-constable-sacked-police-force-not-paying-1-20-carrier-bag-charge.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-12T16:46:29+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: west mercia police, sainsbury's, lukew hodgson, special constable, carrier bags, police misconduct, theft, self-service checkout, news, entertainment
## Special constable dismissed
Special constable Luke Hodgson was dismissed by West Mercia Police after failing to pay for 40p carrier bags at Sainsbury's self-service checkout.
## Three thefts in 12 days
He took plastic bags worth £1.20 over three occasions in 12 days without paying at the store where he worked.
## Sainsbury's disciplinary action
Sainsbury's dismissed Hodgson for gross misconduct after a disciplinary hearing on December 12, 2025.
## Police chief's finding
West Mercia Chief Constable Richard Cooper concluded Hodgson knowingly stole bags despite repaying the £1.20.
## Reason for dismissal
Cooper said Hodgson's actions breached police integrity and discredited the service, amounting to gross misconduct.
## Barred from other forces
Hodgson was placed on the College of Policing barred list preventing him from joining another police force.
## Police integrity priority
Cooper emphasized that police integrity was more important than the personal impact on Hodgson.
## Bag charge history
Sainsbury's raised reusable plastic bag prices to 40p in 2025 after introducing charges in 2015.
## Hodgson's defense
Hodgson claimed he was tired at the end of his shift and had paid for bags on other occasions.
## Police misconduct finding
Cooper found Hodgson 'did know payment was required and chose not to offer it' despite repaying the money.
## Impact on police service
Cooper stated that officers must act honestly given the reliance on reliable testimony in evidence gathering.
## Public trust breach
Hodgson's actions represented an abuse of trust over his role as an employee and discredited the police service.
## No reprieve
Cooper concluded that dismissal was necessary as there were no exceptional circumstances to warrant a reprieve.
## Barred list consequence
Hodgson will be barred from joining any other police force for the duration of the College of Policing barred list.
## Public expectation
The public expects nothing more from police than honesty and integrity.
## Theft conclusion
Cooper stated that Hodgson's actions were theft that breached professional standards of honesty and integrity.
## Key takeaway

Special constable Luke Hodgson was sacked by West Mercia Police for stealing £1.20 worth of carrier bags from Sainsbury's self-service checkout over three days.