M&S Demands Government and Mayor Action on Escalating Retail Crime
Marks & Spencer has issued a urgent plea to the government and London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, to intensify efforts against retail crime, describing it as increasingly brazen, organized, and aggressive. This call follows a spike in shoplifting and violent incidents at its stores, with executives highlighting specific cases from the past week.
Violent Incidents Prompt Executive Letters
In a direct appeal, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, while retail director Thinus Keeve contacted Mayor Khan. They emphasized the need for enhanced police resources to effectively combat crime, target repeat offenders, and address hotspots. Keeve detailed alarming events on the M&S website, including gangs forcing open cabinets, assaults on staff, and an incident where a colleague was hospitalized after having ammonia thrown in their face.
Keeve stated, "It is worse in London, but it is happening across the country, and it is becoming routine, because it seems there are no consequences." He noted that approximately 5.5 million shoplifting incidents occurred in the UK last year, with many going unreported, and over 1,600 retail workers facing violence or abuse daily.
Clapham Disturbances Highlight Social Media Role
This week, police responded to antisocial behavior involving hundreds of young people in Clapham, south London, linked to social media "link-ups" on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. About 100 officers were deployed to Clapham High Street, where attempts were made to access shops and a restaurant, with fires lit on Clapham Common and fireworks set off.
The Metropolitan police arrested six teenage girls after two separate incidents fueled by online trends, with five people assaulted, including four officers. More arrests are expected. Mayor Khan condemned the scenes as "utterly unacceptable" and pledged collaboration with social media companies to curb viral content promoting violence and theft.
Systemic Issue Requires Coordinated Response
Keeve argued that without a serious government crackdown and effective policing prioritization, retailers are powerless. He called for a stronger, faster police response using existing tools, greater transparency on crime data to target resources, and recognition of retail crime as a growing systemic issue demanding coordination across government, policing, and industry.
Adam Hawksbee, M&S head of external affairs, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that retail crime has worsened recently, impacting staff who worry about safety at work and during commutes. Official statistics show shoplifting offences in England and Wales rose to 519,381 in the year to September 2025, up 5% from the previous year, though slightly below the record 530,643 in the year to March 2025.
