M&S Retail Director Asks for More Police Help With Rising Store Crime in London

M&S staff faced 4 times more attacks last year. This is a big jump and shows why they need more police help.
By Newsroom | Crime, London |

Marks & Spencer's retail director, Thinus Keeve, has publicly demanded a more robust response to what he describes as escalating retail crime, citing instances of shoplifting, organised ransacking, and violent assaults against staff and police officers. Keeve has directly challenged official crime statistics, asserting that data suggesting a fall in crime in London does not align with the reality faced by retail workers.

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Recent events, including disturbances in Clapham, south London, where groups of young people reportedly attempted to access shops and set off fireworks, have amplified these concerns. Keeve detailed instances of gangs forcing open locked cabinets and emptying shelves of high-value goods in broad daylight, often leading to confrontations with security personnel.

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In a pointed communication to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, Keeve has urged for enhanced police support. Similarly, M&S Chief Executive Stuart Machin has reportedly communicated with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, seeking greater resources for law enforcement to effectively target repeat offenders and crime hotspots.

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M&S boss calls for more action on crime and abuse of staff - 3

One particularly concerning revelation is the case of an M&S staff member who was hospitalized after ammonia was thrown in their face during an incident. Other reported assaults include a store manager being headbutted and four police officers being assaulted during a response to anti-social behaviour.

M&S states it has invested in technology like the Auror reporting platform, designed to connect information on repeat offenders across different stores. However, the company argues that such technological solutions are insufficient without the presence of officers to make arrests.

The broader retail sector also appears to be experiencing similar pressures. The British Retail Consortium has noted that organised retail crime is a significant concern, with theft frequently escalating into violence and abuse directed at retail workers. Employees, according to M&S, are experiencing theft, intimidation, and abuse as a regular part of their workday, leading to diminished morale and feelings of insecurity.

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Recent incidents have seen around 100 officers deployed to Clapham High Street following reports of hundreds of youths attempting to gain access to businesses. While arrests have been made, the Metropolitan Police anticipate further apprehensions in the coming days. Keeve's public statements, including an article in The Daily Telegraph, aim to foster a coordinated response involving government, policing, and industry to address what he perceives as a worsening situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the M&S retail director asking for more police in London stores?
M&S retail director Thinus Keeve says store crime like shoplifting and attacks on staff is getting worse. He wants more police to help stop this and catch criminals.
Q: What kind of crimes is M&S seeing in its London stores?
M&S is seeing shoplifting, organised groups breaking into stores, and violent attacks on staff and police. High-value items are being stolen from shelves in front of everyone.
Q: Has any M&S staff member been hurt because of store crime?
Yes, one M&S staff member was badly hurt and needed hospital care after ammonia was thrown at their face. A store manager was also headbutted.
Q: What is M&S doing to try and stop crime in its stores?
M&S is using technology like the Auror platform to track criminals who repeat offenses. However, they say this is not enough without police officers to make arrests.
Q: What has M&S asked the London Mayor and Home Secretary to do?
M&S has asked London Mayor Sadiq Khan for more police support and has spoken to the Home Secretary about giving more resources to police to target crime hotspots and repeat offenders.