Frustrated Target shopper slams retail giant after it took her an entire HOUR to shop for a 'single bag of essentials'  -  because all of the products were LOCKED UP to combat soaring crime

A frustrated customer has slammed Target after claiming it took her an hour to shop for a single bag of items because the store had locked-up the 'essentials.'

Dr. Emily Long, from Boston, took to TikTok to hit out at the company for the policies it has implemented in a bid to crack down on theft.

She said that the retailer had put all the everyday items behind glass casings, which could only be opened by employees in a move that slowed down her outing considerably.

And it seems that she is not alone as dozens of other social media users rushed to share their own thoughts on the matter.

Dr. Emily Long, from Boston, took to TikTok to hit out at the company for the policies it has implemented in a bid to crack down on theft

She began: 'The era of the Target run is officially over because tell me why it just took me an entire hour for this. This single bag of items'

In the clip, which has so far been viewed more than 1.6 million times, Emily speaks directly to camera to relay her woes.

She begins: 'The era of the Target run is officially over because tell me why it just took me an entire hour for this. This single bag of items.'

Emily then lifts up a plastic carrier before continuing: 'I'll tell you why, it's because they are essential - and apparently now my Target locks away all essential items.

'So while you could get like $40 La Roche Posay or makeup that was sitting out, my $8 body wash was locked away as was my deodorant and my husband's body wash and his razors and the basic things that I went to Target to get.'

The clip then cuts to inside the store as the content creator pans round the aisles to show the products locked behind glass casings.

The plastic surgery resident joked: 'Behold, the dystopian nightmare that is my Target now. Look at it.'

Cutting back to face the camera once again, Emily concluded: 'I, like many other former Target lovers, was planning on perusing their fall items - maybe sniffing a candle or two, maybe buying one I didn't need - but I was literally fighting for my life in that store.

'I was so desperate to get out of there and then when I finally get to the end, there's a giant line because there's one employee left.

The plastic surgery resident said that the retailer had put all the every day items behind glass casing which could only be opened by employees in a move that slowed her down

The clip then cuts to inside the store as the content creator pans round the aisles to show the products locked behind glass casings

'One lone employee was not opening cabinets and was manning the checkout register so the self checkout line is all the way to the back of the store.'

She uploaded it alongside a caption that read: 'It literally felt like Target doesn't even want us to shop there anymore.'

And dozens of other Target shoppers echoed Emily's sentiments as one commented: 'I thought this, too! The cheaper things are locked and not the expensive. But I'm an introvert and won't be asking for help!'

Another added: 'I waited 20 minutes for someone to open the laundry detergent cabinet for me. Never again.'

And a third said: 'I totally agree! It's been a year that I feel all my local Targets have lost all the things I loved it about it.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Target for comment.

Dozens of other Target shoppers echoed Emily's sentiments about the change

Earlier this year, Target announced that it projected a loss of $500 million a year to violent shoplifters.

Coupled with a $700 million inventory shrinkage from last year - due in part to supply chain chaos largely triggered by the pandemic - the retailer has seen a whopping $1.2 billion go up in smoke. 

Some workers say the problem is so bad their stores are being robbed every 10 minutes and it has led to multiple store closures, most notably in San Francisco.

For the last three years, items like soap, toothpaste, mouthwash and others have been kept locked up.

'The unfortunate fact is violent incidents are increasing at our stores and across the entire retail industry. And when products are stolen, simply put they are no longer available for guests who depend on them,' Target CEO Brian Cornell said on a call with reporters in May.

'Left unchecked, organized retail crime degrades the communities we call home. As we work to address this problem, the safety of our guests and our team members will always be our primary concern.

'Beyond safety concerns, worsening shrink rates are putting significant pressure on our financial results.'