A violent shoplifter who attacked shop staff with a saw has been jailed for ten years.
Tedros Menges, 22, attacked a security guard with a saw, strangled the manager, and threatened other staff at a store in Enfield in July last year.
An investigation by the Metropolitan Police revealed that Menges had had attempted to steal a pair of jogging bottoms, but fled after being spotted. He returned to the store when he realised that he had left his phone behind.
When staff refused to hand it over, Menges returned, but this time was armed with a saw.
Officers arrived on scene just two minutes after a panic alarm was sounded and arrested Menges in a nearby car park.
Body-worn police cameras captured the moment he was arrested.
Menges was convicted of grevious bodily harm, non-fatal strangulation, attempted robbery, and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.
He was sentenced to ten years incarceration at Wood Green Court on Friday and will remain on license for a three-year period upon release.
Chief Superintendent Anna McCartney, who is responsible for policing in north London including Enfield, said: “Violence and abuse directed at shopworkers has a real impact on victims, businesses and the wider community. Staff should never have to fear for their safety while doing their jobs.
“This dangerous attack left two people injured and the sentence today reflects the severity of the offending.
“Those who think they can intimidate or harm retail workers should be under no illusion – we will pursue offenders relentlessly, take weapons off the streets and bring those responsible before the courts. The Met remains fully committed to protecting shopworkers and tackling retail‑related violence across London.”
The force has endeavoured to tackle shopworker abuse and retail-related violence and has worked with businesses to identify harmful and prolific offenders.
Across London, shoplifting fell by 3.7 per cent between 1 April 2025 and 31 March this year, compared with the previous year. That is around 3,200 fewer offences.
Last year the Met solved nearly double the number of shoplifting cases and made almost 50 per cent more arrests.
