One Stop Worker Sacked for Tackling Shoplifter
A convenience store worker has been dismissed after attempting to stop a woman she suspected of stealing bacon. Eileen Fox, 56, described the suspected thief as “well known” in Bootle, Merseyside, and claimed she 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. Following an investigatory meeting with senior managers at One Stop, Fox was suspended and later dismissed on 11 May.
Fox stated that her actions were “completely out of character” but questioned the message sent to thieves: “What message does this send to the 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 in a series of incidents where retailers have disciplined staff for intervening amid a rise in shoplifting across the UK. Waitrose faced criticism after sacking employee Walker Smith, who had worked there for 17 years, for stopping a shoplifter who ransacked a display of Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs. Morrisons also faced backlash after firing store manager Sean Egan, 46, who was sacked for tackling a repeated shoplifter who became aggressive while being escorted from the supermarket in Aldridge, near Walsall.
A letter from One Stop, seen by the BBC, stated that Fox had “followed” the shoplifter and then “grabbed her and slammed her into a metal stand.” Fox said this exaggerated her actions, as she had not followed the woman but had approached her while she was grabbing items from a shelf and had 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.”
