A Taranaki supermarket has banned Stratford High School students in uniform from entering unless they are accompanied by a parent, caregiver or teacher, blaming a "significant increase in theft" by a small number of students.
New World Stratford announced the restriction in a statement to the community, saying it would apply "until further notice".
Stratford High School principal Cameron Stone told 1News students had been disciplined at school, parents had been notified, and those parents were asked to take the students back to New World to pay and apologise.
Stone said the school was aware of the issue and the supermarket's decision. While it had been difficult to identify students in some cases, it had been able to in others, he said.
In a post to Facebook, a supermarket spokesperson said the decision had not been made lightly, but it had a responsibility to keep customers and staff safe.
"Unfortunately, the actions of a small number of students have resulted in a significant increase in theft, and this has meant we've had to make a difficult decision that affects the wider student community," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson acknowledged the measure would affect many students who had done nothing wrong.
"We recognise that this means the actions of a few have impacted many, and we genuinely appreciate that the vast majority of students are respectful, responsible and valued members of our community," they said.
Students accompanied by a parent, caregiver or teacher would still be welcome in-store, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the store hoped the restriction would be temporary.
"We hope this will be a temporary measure and that, by working together with students, parents, caregivers, teachers and the wider school community, we can return to normal store access as soon as possible," they said.
Stone said the school was regularly talking to students about expectations, including about this issue.
"There will continue to be education about impacts on others and unpack reasons why this is occurring – as we have already done with those identified."
Foodstuffs North Island has been contacted for comment.
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