Tories demand Waitrose to reinstate sacked worker over confronting shoplifter stealing chocolate Easter eggs

A long-serving Waitrose worker who was reportedly sacked after an encounter with a shoplifter should be reinstated and given a bonus, Conservatives say.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized Waitrose’s actions as “disgraceful” following the sacking of Walker Smith, who spent 17 years working at the retailer’s Clapham Junction branch.

Mr Smith, 54, claims his dismissal came two days after he intervened when a shoplifter attempted to steal a bag of Easter eggs. A short fight broke out after the person ran away.

Speaking to a newspaper, Mr Smith expressed regret for his actions but explained that he had been forced to intervene as a witness to thefts taking place “at all hours of every day for the last five years” without being allowed to take any action in the store.

Waitrose said reports about Mr Smith’s case were based on an interview with Mr Smith. Guard, It does not cover “all the facts of the situation.”

In a letter shared on social media addressed to Waitrose chief executive Tom Denyard, Mr Philp called on the company to reinstate Mr Smith and give him a bonus “for his courage and initiative”.

He said: “Staff safety must come first.

“But firing a long-serving employee under these circumstances sends the wrong message entirely.

“Criminals are left unchecked while punishing those who act.

“Of course the police and this failed Government must do more to tackle theft.

“But store staff and the public also need to be supported and encouraged to intervene.

“Otherwise, shoplifting will continue to increase uncontrollably.”

The incident comes at a time when burglaries are on the rise, with crimes rising by 5 per cent in the year to September 2025, according to the latest figures.

Waitrose said the reason they had policies in place to stop actions like Mr Smith’s was for the “safety and security” of their employees and customers.

In a statement to Press Association, Waitrose said: “We have had incidents where partners have been hospitalized while challenging thieves.

“Luckily they were always able to recover but that may not always be the case.

“There is a serious danger to life in the fight against thieves.

“We refuse to put anyone’s life at risk and that’s why we have policies that are very clearly understood and must be strictly adhered to.

“As a responsible employer, we would never want to be in a position to notify families of a tragedy because someone tried to stop the theft.

“Nothing we sell is worth risking lives.

“Reports on this do not cover all the facts of the situation.”

While Waitrose did not specifically address Mr Smith’s case, it noted that the “correct process” was followed, including an appeals procedure.