B1285 words1:46News Report American AccentPublished Apr 9, 2026 · Updated Apr 9, 2026

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Retail workers across the United Kingdom are calling for more security guards in stores.

This comes after a Waitrose employee named Walker Smith was fired for confronting a shoplifter.

Smith had stopped the shoplifter from taking chocolate Easter eggs from a display in the store.

Waitrose dismissed him just two days after the incident happened.

The shop workers' union, called Usdaw, has spoken out about the issue.

Joanne Thomas, the general secretary of Usdaw, said that the union supports having security guards in stores.

She explained that retail crime has been rising, and workers on the frontline need better protection.

The union has been talking with employers about how to improve workplace safety for staff.

A recent survey by Usdaw shows that most retail workers want more security.

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According to the 2025 annual survey, 59 percent of union members said they would welcome more security guards.

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Workers believe that security guards provide reassurance and act as a deterrent against crime.

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Some members also said they value other measures, such as better cameras and facial recognition technology.

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After losing his job at Waitrose, Smith was offered a new position at Iceland, another supermarket chain.

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Richard Walker, the chief executive of Iceland, said that shop workers need more tools to deter thieves.

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He suggested that technology such as artificial intelligence could help protect staff.

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Walker also described shoplifting as a problem that often involves violent crime.

#17

The case of Walker Smith has started a wider discussion about workplace safety in the retail industry.

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Many people believe that shop workers should not have to face dangerous situations alone.

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The union continues to push for better security measures because retail crime has become a growing concern across the country.

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Retail workers call for more security after Waitrose sacking for tackling shoplifter

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