'The Waitrose saga shows we're now living with a Wild West mentality'

'The Waitrose saga shows we're now living with a Wild West mentality'Waitrose sacked Walker Smith, who had worked for the supermarket chain for 17 years, after he tried to stop a shoplifter at the Clapham Junction branch in south LondonNewsBradley Jolly Overnight News Editor04:54, 08 Apr 2026Updated 05:04, 08 Apr 2026View ImageWalker Smith became frustrated at seeing shoplifters regularly target the Waitrose(Image: Facebook)Waitrose's decision to fire a long-serving employee for challenging a shoplifter sends a scathing message to law-abiding citizens it is claimed.‌Walker Smith, 54, lost his job after trying to stop the crook from stealing high-end Easter eggs at the branch in Clapham Junction, south London. This move has sparked outrage with some shoppers even vowing to boycott Waitrose unless they reinstate the man.‌The fury has continued as it has now been argued the saga gives thieves the green light to target supermarkets — and even private homes — without punishment. Jane Moore, a journalist and regular on Loose Women, said: "Mr Smith's highly publicised sacking is a charter for all thieves to conduct a supermarket sweep then leave without paying.‌"It's yet another message to the weary law-abiding that the pro-active policing of our streets has all but been abandoned and we're now living with the Wild West mentality of 'everyone for themselves'."READ MORE: Jeremy Vine furiously defends Waitrose worker who tackled shoplifterREAD MORE: Waitrose shoppers vow to boycott supermarket after firm's 'disgusting decision'Security firm account director discusses the rise in shoplifting Waitrose, which has more than 300 supermarkets across the UK, has stressed standard procedure is to avoid confronting shoplifters and to escalate it to senior staff. It says staff safety is paramount, which is why it maintains specific policies for dealing with shoplifters.‌But having witnessed numerous thefts over...