Waitrose is facing increasing demands to rehire a long-time employee who was dismissed after intervening to stop a shoplifter attempting to steal Easter-themed Lindt Gold Bunny chocolate eggs.
The company has faced backlash regarding its decision to terminate Walker Smith, who expressed his heartbreak after being fired two days following the incident in which he thwarted the theft of Easter eggs from the store display.
Following Smith’s revelation to the Guardian about his job loss, a crowdfunding campaign was initiated in his support, which has successfully raised over £2,000. The campaign organizer stated that Smith had acted in a commendable and honorable manner.
On Sunday, Smith recounted that a customer had notified him about an individual stuffing a bag with Lindt chocolate eggs. The 54-year-old employee, who worked at the Clapham Junction location in South London, identified the shoplifter as someone who had stolen from the store previously. He attempted to take the bag back, but the shoplifter forcibly reclaimed it, resulting in a brief scuffle that caused the bag to tear and the eggs to spill onto the floor.
Smith mentioned that one of the chocolate bunnies broke during the altercation, and in a moment of frustration, he threw a piece towards some shopping carts, emphasizing that he did not aim at the fleeing thief. He later apologized to his manager, acknowledging that he had been advised against confronting suspected thieves.
“After 17 years in this position, I have witnessed theft on a daily basis for the last five years,” Smith stated. “From drug users to teenagers, people are stealing various items, yet we are not permitted to intervene.” Following an escalation of the matter, Smith was terminated from his role.
On Monday, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp urged Waitrose to reconsider its decision, labeling the supermarket’s actions as “disgraceful.” In a letter to Waitrose’s managing director Tom Denyard shared on social media, Philp recommended that Smith receive a bonus for his courageous actions.
Philp remarked, “The safety of staff must be prioritized. However, terminating a dedicated employee under these circumstances conveys the wrong message, discouraging proactive actions while leaving offenders unchallenged. It is essential that both the police and the government enhance their efforts to combat shoplifting, while also enabling store personnel and the public to feel empowered to intervene.”
This incident occurs against the backdrop of a reported increase in shoplifting incidents, with offenses rising by 5% in the year leading up to September 2025, according to recent statistics.
In response, Waitrose stated, “The safety and security of our employees and customers is our utmost priority, and we have established policies designed to safeguard both.”
The retailer acknowledged that there have been instances where employees were injured while confronting shoplifters, although they have always recovered. “There is a significant risk to life when addressing shoplifting, and we refuse to jeopardize anyone’s safety. Our policies are clearly defined and must be adhered to strictly,” they added.
As a responsible employer, Waitrose emphasized its commitment to ensuring that no family receives tragic news due to an employee attempting to prevent a theft, asserting that no product is worth risking lives. They have long advocated for greater protections for retail workers, including the establishment of a specific legal category for retail crime.
