Thieves appear to be planning more raids on JD Sports just days after a youth mob targeted a branch in Ilford, east London. A horde of hooded youths wearing balaclavas descended on the shop on Saturday, grabbing armfuls of clothing. The group of around nine boys cleared entire racks before sprinting up escalators, but brave staff clawed back some of the goods.
Social Media Calls for Further Attacks
Gangs are now plotting another attack, with a string of social media posts calling on sportswear-obsessed youngsters to join forces. One TikTok clip zooms in on a hoodie from the store, first on a hanger, then being carried down the street with the hanger still attached. The caption reads, 'need some hitters for JDs North/west based' – a call to action ahead of a potential raid. Another slide adds, 'slow feet don't eat,' a motivational phrase popular on the platform.
A separate post advertises 'tips for staining [robbing] a JD/any other store' alongside a similar photo. Another caption reads: 'Tips for licking [robbing] any store. JD raids are coming back.' The account then reveals shoplifting advice overlaid on photos of security tags and JD Sports bags. Tips include: 'Keep at least one person at the exit – they'll tell you if they try locking the doors'; 'numbers are important: go with minimum 3+ man: be fast and ballid [wearing a balaclava] up at all times if you're going in a large group.'
Detailed Shoplifting Advice
The post adds: 'Know the layout of your area before you raid it: get out of there as soon as possible and head to the next'; 'by any means necessary: any workers/security or Alz at Brent Cross JD try get technical use any force required to get away your safety over anyone else's.' Comments encourage further criminal activity, including one reading: 'Good lads it's time to take back keep it up go in groups.'
JD Sports clothing is highly sought after among London's youth, with popular tracksuits retailing for over £100 and some trainers for double that price. When a reporter visited the Ilford branch two days after the raid, an extra security guard had been posted outside. The guard, named Awan, has been at the centre of London's crime epidemic, having fended off a gang at a Swatch/Audemars Piguet collaboration launch in Battersea before heading east.
Staff Praised, but Caution Urged
Awan heaped praise on JD Sports workers who tackled the brazen shoplifters, salvaging several items. But he warned that, in the current climate, have-a-go heroes need to be cautious. Speaking from his sentry position, Awan said: 'I didn't know about this until this morning. You should see the video online. All the people working on JD Sports on Saturday, it's really brave of them. You have to be careful [when confronting criminals these days].' Staff suggested their heroic colleagues would be reluctant to discuss their role for fear of reprisal.
Word of the raid spread quickly, with anxious shopkeepers concerned about a repeat. A staff member at nextdoor Mighty Pound said: 'I saw some people running out on that side. It was three or four kids running. Teenagers. They were carrying some things.' Another local, running a street food stall, added: 'We heard the story from stores and locals. Someone stealing things.'
Police Response and Broader Trend
Police were called around 5pm, but no arrests were made. Enquiries remain ongoing. The incident forms part of a trend called 'linkup', where large groups of youngsters meet up to flood high street stores, often involving shoplifting. Similar mobs ran wild in Clapham around Easter, forcing families to barricade themselves inside stores. A similar gathering in Birmingham saw school kids flock to the city centre, causing shops to shut as police fought to control crowds.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: 'These disgraceful incidents in Clapham and Birmingham are absolutely appalling. This mindless behaviour has no place in our society, and these criminals must face the full force of the law. We're giving police stronger powers, ending the immunity for thefts under £200 so that shoplifters can be prosecuted.'
A Met spokesperson said: 'Police were called at 17.17hrs on Saturday, 16 May following reports of a large group of young men shoplifting from a store on Ilford High Road. Officers conducted an extensive area search and enquiries remain ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time. Shoplifting remains a key priority for the Met, and we recognise how distressing these incidents are for retailers and staff. In Ilford, theft offences have dropped by more than 10 per cent in the last year as officers work hard to drive down neighbourhood crime.'
