Author: Matthew Cox
11:27 09 July 2024, updated 12:42 09 July 2024
This is the dramatic moment brave Tesco staff tried to thwart two crooks stealing booze and tobacco before one was hit by a car as he fled the scene.
A customer at a busy London store filmed the shocking moment on her mobile phone when one of two thieves was momentarily trapped behind the tills.
Two thieves in black got behind the cash register and started loading their bags with bottles of spirits and packets of tobacco for packaging.
One appears to escape unscathed, but the other is temporarily trapped by a combination of customers, Tesco staff and security.
As he eventually fought his way out, after several bottles fell out of the hold and smashed on the floor, one customer can be heard saying: ‘Call an ambulance, he’s just been hit by a car.’
Have you seen shoplifting in your area? Email matthew.cox@mailonline.co.uk
The two-minute video begins with voices urging people to ‘goh, run, run’ and ‘call the police’.
The footage shows an area behind the till where two thieves can be seen piling alcohol into their bags.
The first thief manages to leave the Express store on Wanstead High Street unhindered, but his accomplice can be seen trying to get back from behind the tills as a brave customer holds the door closed.
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At the other end of the tills, a member of staff tried to block the way with a stack of produce crates, but the robber managed to push through – meanwhile security closed the store’s automatic doors.
The thief tried to force them open, but his bag was grabbed by another employee as he struggled with security.
Bottles can be heard shattering on the floor as the fugitive releases his grip, but manages to pry open the door before grabbing the bag back off the floor and running.
As the customer who filmed the incident leaves the store, another customer can be heard saying the thief was hit by a car and urging someone to call an ambulance.
However, when the footage moves outside, there is no sign of the crook until two people are seen running away in the distance.
London Ambulance Service has no record of a team being dispatched to the scene on the Sunday when the incident occurred.
After the clip was shared online, viewers commented: “Well done Tesco staff…
“The security guard did an amazing job…
“Safety really proves theirs. [sic] value…
“So much chaos. Working in retail is not for the faint of heart.’
The Met Police and Tesco have also been asked to comment.
It follows shoplifting offenses hitting a record high last year with complaints that the crime has effectively been “decriminalised”.
In the year to December 2023, officers recorded a total of 430,104 offences, up by more than a third (37%) on the 315,040 in the previous 12 months.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the figure is the highest since current records began in March 2003.
Retail bosses have accused ministers of allowing shoplifting to become effectively decriminalised, with many police forces not attending to most reports and collecting no evidence when they happen.