Moment hooded youths ransack JD Sports store - before female workers battle to reclaim clothes

Published: 01:22, 18 May 2026 | Updated: 01:24, 18 May 2026 A horde of hooded youths with balaclavas raided a JD Sports store of hangers of merchandise as female teenage store workers fought to reclaim the clothes.  On Saturday a large group of people descended on the Ilford High Road shop in London with a clear intention to loot.  Footage captures the youths spreading out across the lower ground floor of the store, and in-between heavied clothes rails, as they grab armfuls of their chosen items.  The group of around nine thieving youngsters casually saunter to the escalators, goods clutched in their hands, while one thief preoccupies himself on his phone. The loyal JD Sports team of young women try to stop the youths by yanking both them and the clothes from them, as the boys attempt to sprint up to the store's exit and safety, inciting a game of British bulldog on the escalator. Barging past, some of the youngsters proceed to fall over each other as they run up the side of the escalator moving in the opposite, downward direction.  The teenage girls successfully save some of the clothes, as customers are battered by the onslaught of youths, while the boys seemingly get away.  Police were called to the scene, which took place around 5pm, but no arrests were made. Enquiries remain ongoing.  Hoards of hooded youths with balaclavas raided on Saturday a JD Sports store on the Ilford High Road of hangers of merchandise The group of around nine thieving youngsters casually saunter to the escalators, goods clutched in their hands The loyal JD Sports team of young women try to stop the youths by yanking both them and the clothes from them, as the boys attempt to sprint up to the store's exit and safety People quickly took to social media to congratulate the brave girls, as one wrote on a video on X: 'Ilford JD Sports just dropped the most chaotic retail heist reel - hooded raiders swarm in, grab everything…then the absolute girlboss staff (hijab legend leading the pack) turn full action heroes and snatch it all back. Not paid enough for this madness but still going feral for the brand. London retail staying unhinged.' Another posted: 'Girl staff only ones doing anything!' It is understood the incident forms part of a trend called 'linkup'. The term refers to large groups of youngsters meeting up across the country with the aim of flooding high street stores.  The gatherings, which are commonly planned on social media, often involve shoplifting.   This comes as mobs of youths - believed to be a 'linkup' - ran wild multiple times in Clapham around Easter this year, forcing families to barricade themselves inside high street stores.  Clips circulating on social media showed crowds of teens tearing through the neighbourhood in south London, terrorising locals and forcing shops to close.  Employees at local shops said they were 'scared' as chaos reigned along the heaving road with cars coming to a standstill and commuters ducking for cover, or opting to film the scene using their smartphones.  A similar gathering happened in Birmingham this year as school kids flocked to the city centre on the last day of term causing shops to shut as police fought to control the crowd. Barging past, some of the youngsters proceed to fall over each other as they run up the side of the escalator moving in the opposite, downward direction The teenage girls successfully save some of the clothes, as customers are battered by the onslaught of youths, while the boys seemingly get away  Hooded youths were seen hurtling through the streets, fighting each other, swarming on shops and fast-food restaurants with videos posted on social media showing arrests being made in the streets. TikTok videos and comments from people who attended suggest these 'linkups' are loosely pre-arranged via social media. Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said at the time: 'These disgraceful incidents in Clapham and Birmingham are absolutely appalling. This mindless behaviour has no place in our society, and these criminals must face the full force of the law. 'We're giving police stronger powers, ending the immunity for thefts under £200 so that shoplifters can be prosecuted. 'We urge the police to use all tools at their disposal to maintain order, protect residents and punish those responsible.' A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said on Saturday's incident: 'Police were called at 17.17hrs on Saturday, 16 May following reports of a large group of young men shoplifting from a store on Ilford High Road. 'Officers conducted an extensive area search and enquiries remain ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time. 'Shoplifting remains a key priority for the Met, and we recognise how distressing these incidents are for retailers and staff.  'In Ilford, theft offences have dropped by more than 10 per cent in the last year as officers work hard to drive down neighbourhood crime.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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