An employee was sacked after reportedly tackling a thief in store…
A long-serving supermarket employee has been dismissed after reportedly tackling a shoplifter, sparking widespread debate about how retail staff should respond to theft and in-store crime.
Waitrose faced criticism this week after it emerged that a staff member of 17 years was dismissed following an altercation with a suspected shoplifter.
Walker Smith became involved in a brief struggle with a man allegedly attempting to steal Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs from a store in Clapham, south London.
He told The Guardian that he was initially reprimanded by his manager and apologised for his actions. However, the matter was subsequently escalated, and he was dismissed two days later.
The incident has prompted significant public reaction, with some customers and commentators expressing support for the employee. Politicians have also weighed in, calling on the supermarket chain to reconsider its decision.
In response, Waitrose reiterated that its policies are designed to prioritise safety above all else. A spokesperson said: “The safety and security of our Partners and customers couldn’t be more important to us, and we have policies in place to protect both.”
“We’ve had incidents where our Partners have been hospitalised when challenging shoplifters. Luckily, they have always recovered, but that might not always be the case. There is a serious danger to life in tackling shoplifters.”
“We refuse to put anyone’s life at risk and that’s why we have policies in place that are very clearly understood and must be strictly followed.”
The case has brought renewed attention to the strict ‘no pursuit’ or ‘non-confrontation’ policies adopted by many retailers, which are designed to minimise risk to staff but can prove controversial when employees take action to prevent theft.
The issue comes amid growing concern across the sector about retail crime. Last week, an M&S retail director called for a tougher response following a series of incidents involving shoplifting and violence in stores.
Thinus Keeve said police should be given greater resources to address the problem, which he described as “getting worse, not better”, with retail staff facing “abuse and violence in their workplace every day”.
Meanwhile Joanne Thomas, the General Secretary of Usdaw, the shop workers’ union, said: “Usdaw supports a physical security presence in stores and we have ongoing conversations with employers about protection for retail workers on the frontline of the rise in retail crime.”
“The results of our 2025 annual survey show that 59% of members would welcome more security in stores because security guards provide reassurance, act as a deterrent and have specialist experience to deal with incidents“.