- A 54-year-old Waitrose employee, Walker Smith, was dismissed after confronting a shoplifter attempting to steal Easter eggs from the Clapham Junction branch.
- Mr Smith had a brief struggle with the shoplifter and threw a piece of chocolate out of frustration after the thief fled.
- Mr Smith, who had worked for Waitrose for 17 years, said he was "demoralised" and "frustrated" by his dismissal, stating the company was "like my family".
- Waitrose said that current reports do not present the "full facts of the situation" and reiterated its policy against staff intervention in thefts, saying that "nothing we sell is worth risking lives for" due to safety concerns.
- The dismissal occurs amidst a rise in shoplifting offences across England and Wales, with politicians discussing "Good Samaritan" protections for retail staff who intervene.
IN FULL
