Waitrose shoppers have vowed to boycott the supermarket after it dismissed a long-serving employee who attempted to stop a shoplifter. Walker Smith, 54, was fired from the Clapham Junction branch following an incident involving a repeat offender trying to steal high-end Easter eggs.
Social media users, including regular customers, condemned the decision as 'disgusting' and 'outrageous'. One posted: 'After you sack a long-standing employee for trying to stop a shoplifter, I'm afraid I can no longer shop at your store.' Another wrote: 'People should not be penalised for standing up for what's right.'
Waitrose defended its actions, stating that challenging shoplifters poses a 'serious danger to life' and that staff are instructed not to intervene. A spokesperson said: 'We've had incidents where our Partners have been hospitalised when challenging shoplifters. Nothing we sell is worth risking lives for.'
Mr Smith, who had worked at the store for 17 years, said he threw a piece of broken chocolate 'out of frustration' after the thief fled. He insisted he did not aim at the shoplifter but was made to apologise and later dismissed. He described Waitrose as 'his family'.
The supermarket noted that the reporting does not cover 'the full facts' and confirmed an appeals procedure is in place. However, customers remain unappeased, with many pledging to shop elsewhere.
