M&S boss calls for more action on crime and abuse of staff
M&S boss calls for more action on crime and abuse of staff
Thinus Keeve, Marks & Spencer’s retail director, has urged a stronger effort to combat retail crime, following a series of incidents that included shoplifting and violent acts against employees. He emphasized that the problem is intensifying, with staff regularly encountering abuse and aggression while on duty.
Recent events in Clapham, south London, saw police dealing with anti-social behaviour from a group of several hundred young people. These individuals were observed entering an M&S store, leading to disorder on Clapham High Street. About 100 officers were deployed to manage the situation, which also involved fires and fireworks on Clapham Common. Six teenage girls were arrested after engaging in anti-social behaviour linked to online trends, with five people, including four police officers, assaulted.
“In the past week alone, we’ve had gangs forcing open locked cabinets, stripping shelves, and two men taking steak without hesitation. A large group of youths ransacked a store, then attacked a security guard. One colleague was headbutted, and another was hospitalized after ammonia was thrown in their face,” Keeve said.
Keeve highlighted that retail crime has become more brazen, organized, and aggressive, stressing the need for a unified strategy involving government, police, and the retail sector. He mentioned that M&S had already invested tens of millions in security measures but argued that additional police support and data-driven tactics are essential to address hotspots effectively.
Adam Hawksbee, M&S’s external affairs director, noted that while retail crime has always been present, its recent escalation has caused concern. He stated that the company had planned to reach out to the Home Secretary and London Mayor before the Clapham incident, advocating for coordinated efforts to tackle the issue.
The mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is set to meet with M&S shortly after Keeve requested extra police resources. A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed the Met Police’s focus on neighborhood policing, which has increased officer numbers in the West End and targeted key areas across the city. However, they acknowledged the need for further action.
Criminals and Policing Minister Sarah Jones condemned the incidents as “disgraceful” and urged police to utilize their existing tools to combat offenders. She noted that new powers have been introduced to enable prosecution of thefts under £200, aiming to reduce the number of unprosecuted cases.
Jim Bligh, director of corporate affairs at the British Retail Consortium, described the Clapham events as “deplorable” and called for increased measures by both local and national leaders. He added that the mayor and police should intensify their efforts to curb this growing issue, which has seen similar behaviour reported in other regions, such as Rochdale, where dispersal orders were issued after staff harassment and property damage.
