A convenience store worker has been sacked after attempting to stop a woman she suspected of shoplifting bacon. Eileen Fox, 56, described the suspected thief as 'well known' in Bootle, Merseyside, and claimed the woman had been stealing from the shop for years.
In a social media post, Fox explained how she 'grabbed the sleeve of her coat and in the scuffle she banged into a metal stand.' She added that no one was injured in the incident. Fox was called to an investigatory meeting with senior managers at One Stop and suspended the following day. Despite her actions being 'completely out of character,' she was dismissed from her job on 11 May.
Public Reaction and Similar Cases
Fox questioned the message this sends to thieves: 'Come on in, help yourselves, the staff in the shop can't touch you, cause then they'll be punished while you get away scot-free.' This case is the latest example of retailers disciplining staff who intervene amid a rise in shoplifting across the UK.
Waitrose faced criticism after sacking an employee of 17 years for stopping a shoplifter who had ransacked a display of Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs. The retailer faced public outcry over its treatment of Walker Smith, who was fired two days after the incident. Morrisons also faced backlash after firing store manager Sean Egan, 46, who said he was sacked for tackling a repeated shoplifter who became aggressive while being escorted from the supermarket in Aldridge, near Walsall, where Egan had worked for 29 years.
One Stop's Response
A letter from One Stop seen by the BBC states that Fox had 'followed' the shoplifter and then 'grabbed her and slammed her into a metal stand.' Fox said this letter exaggerated her actions, claiming she had not followed the shoplifter but had approached the woman grabbing items from a shelf and taken hold of her sleeve.
A spokesperson for One Stop said: 'The safety of our customers and colleagues is our absolute priority, and our stores should be a safe place to work and shop. We ask our colleagues never to risk their own safety, and we provide clear training to all colleagues on how best to respond to any incidents. This training is alongside continuous investment in extra security measures, as well as close collaboration with the police to do everything we can to prevent incidents taking place in our stores.'
