M&S hits out at Sadiq Khan for being soft on crime amid mob of youths descending on Clapham

George Bunn
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:04:18 +0000

Officials at Marks & Spencer have blasted Sir Sadiq Khan, accusing the London Mayor of failing to get a grip on crime in the capital.

The retailer has called on Sir Sadiq to "prioritise effective policing" as "more brazen, more organised and more aggressive" attacks are ramping up across Britain.

It follows multiple nights of mobs of young people swarming shops in the affluent neighbourhood of Clapham in south London.

Now, M&S's retail director Thinus Keeve said staff had been headbutted and taken to hospital following an ammonia attack in the last week as he urged City Hall and Westminster to do more to tackle shoplifting and crime.

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Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Keeve said: "I keep hearing crime is falling, especially in London, something none of us believes, and very few people working in retail would see.

"Without a Government seriously cracking down on crime and a Mayor that prioritises effective policing, we are powerless."

Parents of the several hundred teenagers who gathered in Clapham have been warned to take responsibility by police, and make sure that they know where their children are.

The Metropolitan Police said there will be further arrests as officers go through CCTV and body-worn camera footage of what happened.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also took aim at Labour, saying the Government has "no plan" to reduce crime levels.

He said: “Shoplifting is surging, and the weak Labour Government has no plan to fix it. Prolific shoplifters need to be jailed.

"Yet Labour is abolishing prison sentences under a year, letting criminals out of jail early and causing police officer numbers to fall for the first time in a decade."

The Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: "I’m very concerned by the recent scenes of unrest on Clapham High Street.

"This intimidating behaviour causes havoc for local residents and businesses alike. It is inexcusable.

"The police have informed me that we will see increased patrols in the area over the coming days."

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The children arranged to meet in so-called “link-ups” using social media apps including TikTok and Snapchat, before surging into shops, and letting off fireworks on Clapham Common.

Similar scenes were seen in Birmingham city centre on Friday after schools there broke up for the Easter holidays.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: "These disgraceful incidents in Clapham and Birmingham are absolutely appalling.

"This mindless behaviour has no place in our society, and these criminals must face the full force of the law.

"We’re giving police stronger powers, ending the immunity for thefts under £200 so that shoplifters can be prosecuted.

"We urge the police to use all tools at their disposal to maintain order, protect residents and punish those responsible."