Video shows thieves loading alcohol into Deliveroo bags at London Waitrose; staff say they are told not to intervene
Shoppers watch as two men in hooded clothing steal at least 13 bottles in 45 seconds; staff say they are barred from stopping them, amid broader debate over crime and sentencing reforms.
A video showing two men in hooded jackets and balaclavas brazenly loading bottles of alcohol from a Waitrose store into Deliveroo bags has emerged from Clerkenwell, London, prompting renewed debate about theft, store security and policing. The clip, captured in the store and circulated online, appears to show the pair removing at least 13 bottles of alcohol within roughly 45 seconds as they walk past the checkout with staff and customers watching in apparent disbelief.
Store staff say they are powerless to intervene. Security personnel on duty told The Sun that employees have been instructed not to confront suspects. “They basically come in most evenings and go for the alcohol and it boils my blood,” said one guard, Craig Wincarr, who added that workers are told not to tackle thieves and are left to deter rather than deter criminals. He described feeling “like a lemon” as a result. Witnesses described shock and frustration as the theft unfolded in front of them, with some shoppers attempting to intervene and others simply watching as the suspects fled with the goods.
Among the onlookers was Alison Wigmore, a 73-year-old shopper who said she shouted at the two teenagers in an attempt to halt the theft. Wigmore said she understood why some people feel justice systems are under strain, but she asked how businesses are supposed to survive when the police cannot be relied upon to maintain minimum order. “I get that the justice system is on its knees, but how are businesses supposed to survive if the police they pay for with taxes won’t keep law and order at a minimum?” she told local reporters.
The clip’s release drew political comment, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick sharing the video online and criticizing Labour’s opponents over crime policy. Jenrick cited the footage as evidence of what he described as a broader failure to control crime in parts of Britain, drawing a partisan link to Labour’s stance on sentencing reforms. He argued that proposals to reduce or alter prison terms for shoplifters would exacerbate the problem, calling the situation in London under Mayor Sadiq Khan’s direction “a disgrace.”
Separately, discussions about crime and sentencing have intensified as Labour outlines reforms that would scrap certain prison sentences and extend the maximum length of suspended terms from two to three years. Critics say the changes could allow more offenders to avoid prison in cases involving shoplifting, sex offences and drug dealing. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp responded to the proposals by arguing that “shoplifting has already soared under Labour,” and that prison remains an effective tool for serious and serial offenders. He characterized the proposed reforms as a dangerous retreat from deterrence and public safety, while noting that law-and-order priorities are central to policing and community security.
The Metropolitan Police and Waitrose told reporters they would review the incident and consider steps to prevent recurrence. Police representatives indicated they would coordinate with the store’s management and security teams as part of ongoing discussions about crime trends in the area. Waitrose, for its part, emphasized its commitment to customer safety and to working with police to protect staff and shoppers. The incident underscores long-running debates about shoplifting trends, the role of store security, and how policy changes influence the balance between enforcement and rehabilitation in the United Kingdom.
Under current UK law, theft of items valued at less than £200 carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail or a fine, a threshold cited by prosecutors and commentators in discussions about sentencing reforms. Critics warn that lowering or altering penalties for repeat or high-value theft could lead to rises in shoplifting, particularly in urban areas, unless accompanied by broader crime-prevention and policing resources. Proponents of reform say the focus should be on proportionate punishment, rehabilitation, and addressing social causes that contribute to crime, while ensuring that serious and violent offenses remain subject to robust penalties.
As authorities assess the Clerkenwell incident and its spread in public discourse, investigators will likely review surveillance footage from the store, security logs, and any available eyewitness accounts to determine whether additional charges or civil actions are warranted. Metropolitan Police officials did not specify any immediate charges in relation to the clip, and Waitrose declined to comment beyond acknowledging that theft occurred and that staff are trained to report incidents to management and police. The broader question remains how retailers, police, and policymakers can balance security, customer safety, and judicial policy in a climate of evolving crime dynamics.