FOR the past 13 years Steve Crimble has faithfully shopped at his local Co-op.

Every night on his way home the 46-year-old, pictured right, has called in to pick up his Daily Echo and other goods.

But now he has been told his custom won't be welcome - unless he removes his woolly hat which he wears to hide his bald head.

Managers at the shop in Wodehouse Road, Itchen, say they are implementing rules that ban shoppers from wearing any form of hat, cap or helmet to help cut the number of shoplifting offences.

CCTV cameras are unable to identify thieves because their faces become obscured.

But Mr Crimble says he is bemused as to why the rules have been changed so suddenly and without warning.

"It's not a church or a club, it's just a shop," he said.

"The next thing you know they'll be asking me to wear formal trousers or a suit."

Mr Crimble, of Acacia Road, Merry Oak, was told it was either the hat or himself that had to go.

"It's something I've been wearing for years. Up till now it's been happy days," said the 46-year-old.

"But I was told stock has been going missing and that I wouldn't be allowed to wear it in future. I called them up afterwards and again I was told I couldn't go in if I was wearing it. It's a bit unfair. I only wear it because I haven't got much hair left."

Mr Crimble now has to make a difficult decision whether to lose his hat or find a new shop.

A Co-op store spokesman apologised to Mr Crimble but said the policy was necessary.

She said: "Asking customers to remove headgear like caps and hoods is a measure the Co-op sometimes implements on a temporary basis in stores that have problems with shoplifters, when CCTV footage cannot see faces hidden by caps. We have to ask all customers to comply with these measures."

She added: "The manager apologised to the customer in question and we hope other customers aren't offended and will help us on a temporary basis to stop this problem."

A spokesman for Hampshire police said the force launched a campaign a few years ago asking people to remove caps and hoods when going into shops.

She said: "It was because of the high number of shoplifters using caps to disguise their identity. It was a proactive campaign done out of courtesy. But whether or not a policy is adopted is down to individual stores."