Iceland boss demands security staff are given truncheons and pepper spray to combat lawlessness

Dimitris Kouimtsidis
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:03:23 +0000

The head of Iceland has demanded that retail security personnel be equipped with truncheons and pepper sprays to combat what he described as an epidemic of violent theft sweeping British shops.

Lord Walker of Broxton, who also serves as the government's cost of living champion, pointed to Spain as a model worth emulating, where store detectives carry such defensive equipment.

He told the Times: "You go to Spain and all the security guards have pepper spray and a truncheon, they don't mess about."

Lord Walker insisted that even a single violent incident targeting his employees was unacceptable, arguing that the term "shoplifting" trivialises what amounts to serious criminal behaviour.

He said: "We call it shoplifting, which sounds like a cheeky bit of pilfering, but actually we should just call it out for what it is, which is violent crime."

His comments came as Marks & Spencer revealed it faces daily assaults that are increasingly "more brazen, more organised and more aggressive" in nature.

Thinus Keeve, the retailer's director of stores, disclosed that workers had suffered a headbutting attack and required hospital treatment following an ammonia assault within the past seven days.

The M&S executive urged both government ministers and police forces to take stronger action against the growing threat.

His plea followed chaotic scenes earlier this week when groups of young people stormed an M&S branch in Clapham, with footage showing security guards being physically attacked.

Lord Walker described the violence witnessed in south London as "horrific," referencing images of "marauding gangs" overwhelming store staff.

Senior M&S figures have now written directly to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan demanding urgent intervention.

Government statistics paint a stark picture of how rarely offenders face justice for retail theft.

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Fewer than one in five shoplifting offences in England and Wales resulted in a court summons last year, with the precise figure standing at 19.8 per cent.

More than half of all cases were dropped entirely because police failed to identify suspects.

The Metropolitan Police recorded the lowest charge rate of any force at just 7.3 per cent, with Gloucestershire and Sussex following at 7.59 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

One senior retail industry figure said existing deterrents simply were not working, with the same individuals repeatedly targeting stores without consequence.

Mr Keeve noted that such attacks had become "more routine" for staff to endure.

The Retail Trust reported that 77 per cent of shop workers surveyed had experienced abuse over the past 12 months, while nearly a quarter had been physically assaulted.

Almost half of those questioned said they faced abusive behaviour on a weekly basis.

Chris Brook-Carter, the charity's chief executive, said the Clapham disorder formed part of a broader national pattern, with many employees feeling unsafe at work and contemplating leaving the industry altogether.

Rab Donnelly, deputy secretary of the shopworkers' union Usdaw, said staff were fearful of entering the shop floor when they spotted known offenders or gangs arriving.

The National Police Chiefs' Council defended its efforts, citing progress made through the Retail Crime Action Plan and Operation Pegasus launched in 2024, with improved intelligence-sharing between forces and retailers.