A thief was caught on camera brazenly stealing from a Marks & Spencer store in Holborn, London, before pushing past staff to make a swift escape.
The incident unfolded at the chain’s Chancery Lane branch, where the man, wearing headphones and maintaining an air of nonchalance, was filmed casually loading items into a duffel bag.
Despite his relaxed demeanor, the situation escalated when a staff member attempted to confront him.
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As the employee blocked his path, the man forcibly pushed past, opened the security gate, and fled with the stolen goods.
The dramatic footage, recorded on December 23 and shared online a day later, quickly went viral, amassing over five million views and igniting outrage among viewers.
Many expressed their frustration at the blatant nature of the theft and its broader implications.
Aj Darneal commented, “Thieves make prices skyrocket for the rest of us hard-working people.”
Similarly, Andrew Hart highlighted the frequency of such incidents, stating, “Every food shop all over London sees this regularly. It is a disgrace.”
Other reactions ranged from calls for harsher punishments to praise for the staff’s efforts.
One viewer wrote, “Zero tolerance for thieves, straight to jail,” while another added, “That staff member went above and beyond.”
John Ryan lamented the growing prevalence of such crimes, saying, “This is the norm in the UK,” and another user remarked on the shift in attitudes, noting, “Shoplifting used to be an offence once.”
The viral clip has sparked a renewed debate about retail crime in the UK, leaving many questioning how such acts can be deterred in the future.
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