Waitrose issues statement after worker of 17 years sacked for stopping Easter egg shoplifter

Waitrose issues statement after worker of 17 years sacked for stopping Easter egg shoplifterWalker Smith, 54, was fired from his role at the Clapham Junction store after confronting a thief who was stealing luxury Easter eggs, despite company policy against approaching shopliftersNewsMatt Atherton News Editor and Callum Hoare04:46, 06 Apr 2026View 3 Images(Image: Facebook)Waitrose has continued to defend its decision to sack an employee who stopped a thief in a store, despite mounting criticism from politicians.‌Walker Smith, 54, had worked for Waitrose for 17 years before his dismissal.‌He disclosed he was "crying inside" when management escorted him out, as the retailer felt like his family.‌Mr Smith worked as a shop assistant at a Waitrose store in Clapham Junction, south London. He was performing his regular duties when a customer informed him that someone had filled a bag with eggs.The standard procedure is to avoid confronting shoplifters and to escalate it to senior staff. But having witnessed numerous thefts over the years, Mr Smith took matters into his own hands, he said.View 3 Images‌He challenged the thief and grabbed their bag. There was allegedly a short tussle, before the bag tore and multiple Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs tumbled onto the floor. The shoplifter bolted for the exit, but Mr Smith picked up a fragment of broken Easter egg and "threw it out of frustration" towards some trolleys - and not at the thief - he said.He was disciplined by his manager at the time, but several weeks later, he was summoned to a meeting with store managers. Mr Smith said he made a final appeal for forgiveness, but was eventually informed he was being dismissed. He told the Guardian: "I tried to stay strong and I didn't say a word but inside I was crying. They led me out the back door by the bins. I just felt demoralised."Waitrose is like my family. My friends are there. I was there for 17 years, I must have been doing something righ...