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Apr 06, 2026

Waitrose Faces Backlash for Sacking Employee Who Stopped Shoplifter

AI Summary
Waitrose is under pressure to reinstate an employee of 17 years who was sacked after stopping a shoplifter from stealing Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs. The employee, Walker Smith, was fired two days after the incident, sparking criticism and a fundraiser that has raised over £2,000.

Waitrose is facing growing criticism for its decision to sack an employee of 17 years, Walker Smith, after he stopped a shoplifter from stealing Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs. The incident occurred at the Clapham Junction branch in south London, where Smith had worked for nearly two decades.

According to Smith, a customer alerted him to someone filling a bag with chocolate eggs. The 54-year-old employee said he “grabbed the bag”, but the shoplifter snatched it back, leading to a brief struggle. The bag snapped, and the items fell to the floor. Smith claimed he picked up a broken bunny and “threw it out of frustration” towards some shopping trolleys, but did not aim at the shoplifter.

Despite apologizing to his manager for his role in the incident, Smith was terminated two days later. His actions were deemed a breach of company policy, which instructs employees not to approach suspected shoplifters.

The decision to fire Smith has sparked widespread criticism, with over £2,000 raised in a fundraiser to support him. The organizer of the fundraiser described Smith as having “simply tried to do the right and noble thing”.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called on Waitrose to reinstate Smith, accusing the supermarket of acting “disgracefully”. In a letter to Waitrose managing director Tom Denyard, Philp argued that staff safety must come first, but dismissing a long-serving employee in these circumstances sends the wrong message.

The incident comes amid a 5% rise in shoplifting offences in the year to September 2025, according to the latest figures. Waitrose has defended its policies, stating that the safety and security of its partners and customers is paramount, and that it refuses to put anyone’s life at risk.

However, critics argue that the company’s stance penalizes employees who act to prevent shoplifting, while offenders are left unchecked. The debate highlights the challenges faced by retailers in balancing employee safety with the need to prevent crime.