Supermarket worker fired after 17 years for tackling shoplifter who tried stealing Easter eggs

Walker Smith, 54, had worked for Waitrose, an upscale grocery store, for 17 years when the incident unfolded in Clapham, South London.

According to Smith, a man entered the store, cleared out a display of Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs — each selling for about $16 (£13) — and stuffed them into a bag.

Walker Smith, 54, said he was fired after confronting a shoplifter who tried to steal Easter eggs. Facebook/Walker Smith

“I’ve been there 17 years. I’ve seen it happen every hour of every day for the last five years,” he told The Guardian.

Smith said he stepped in after being alerted, grabbed the bag and struggled briefly with the suspect. The bag tore during the scuffle, sending chocolate spilling across the floor. The shoplifter fled.

The veteran employee acknowledged he had previously been warned not to physically intervene with shoplifters, but said repeated thefts had pushed him to act.

Smith worked at Waitrose, an upscale grocery store, for 17 years. Ben – stock.adobe.com

After the suspect ran off, Smith admitted he picked up a broken piece of chocolate and tossed it in frustration — but insisted it wasn’t aimed at anyone.

He said he later apologized to his manager, but the incident was reported anyway.

Within days, he was called into a meeting and dismissed.

Nigel Farage said Walker’s firing shows that “Britain is broken.” ZUMAPRESS.com

Smith said he left feeling “demoralized,” ending nearly two decades with the company by being escorted out through the back.

The case quickly drew political attention.

British politician and President Trump ally Nigel Farage blasted the decision, writing on X that it showed the country was “favoring criminals over law enforcers” and declaring, “Britain is broken.”

Members of the Conservative Party have urged Waitrose to reinstate Smith. Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, said the incident reflects a broader trend across Britain, warning that offenders are acting more boldly and with “little fear of consequence.”

Rival chain Iceland has offered Smith a job and he’s already had a positive job interview. William – stock.adobe.com

Waitrose, however, disputed parts of Smith’s account and said the “reporting on this does not cover the full facts of the situation.”

The company insisted confronting shoplifters poses a “serious danger to life” and that proper procedures were followed, including the option to appeal the decision.

The firing quickly gained traction online, with many siding with Smith.

He posted a message thanking supporters and jokingly noting he was experienced in customer service — “except dealing with shoplifters.”

“I didn’t think it would blow up like this,” he wrote, adding that his focus now is finding a new job.

He may not have to search long.

Iceland, a rival grocery chain, publicly stepped in with an offer. Its chairman, Richard Walker, wrote on LinkedIn: “You’re welcome to a job with us. We even share the same name…”

The company confirmed it has been in contact with Smith and that discussions are moving quickly after a positive interview.