A convenience store worker in Merseyside has been dismissed after attempting to stop a woman she suspected of shoplifting, reigniting debate over the challenges retail staff face amid rising shop theft.
Eileen Fox, 56, was terminated after physically intervening during a shoplifting incident at One Stop Shop in Randall Drive, Bootle, Merseyside. Fox said the accused is a repeat offender and had been stealing from the shop for years.
Describing the incident, Fox said she "grabbed the sleeve of her coat and in the scuffle she banged into a metal stand", adding that no one was injured.
According to media reports, Fox was subsequently called to an investigatory meeting with senior managers and suspended the following day. She said she was dismissed two weeks after the incident.
Fox told the BBC: "It's very harsh what they've done - it's very upsetting.
"They could have given me a written final warning. In fact, the union rep suggested that, but they said they've sacked me because they think I would do it again, which I wouldn't."
Fox said the incident had happened "so quickly" and she had "acted on instinct".
"I've never done anything like that before in work or in my private life," she added.
The case is the latest to highlight the difficult position retail workers find themselves in as shoplifting continues to rise across the UK.
Earlier this year, Waitrose faced criticism after dismissing an employee of 17 years for intervening to stop a shoplifter who had allegedly ransacked a display of Easter products.
Morrisons also came under scrutiny after a long-serving store manager said he was dismissed after tackling a repeat shoplifter who had become aggressive while being escorted from a store.
The incidents have fuelled an ongoing debate within the retail industry over how employers balance staff safety policies with growing concerns about theft and abuse faced by frontline workers.