Met Police Chief Supports Morrisons Manager Dismissed For Confronting Shoplifter

Britain's most senior police officer has voiced support for a Morrisons store manager who was dismissed after confronting a shoplifter.

Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, praised Sean Egan's actions, saying he would always encourage members of the public to play a role in tackling crime.

Mr Egan, who had worked at a store in Aldridge near Walsall in the West Midlands for 29 years, was escorting a suspected shoplifter out when the situation escalated. The individual became aggressive and spat at him, prompting the 46-year-old manager to intervene physically and remove him from the premises.

Following a disciplinary hearing, Mr Egan was dismissed for breaching the company's "deter, not detain" policy.

The decision has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for his reinstatement. Sir Mark said he "completely" sympathised with Mr Egan, adding that, based on what is publicly known, he found the outcome difficult to understand.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he said he was "bewildered" by the case. While acknowledging there may be factors not yet known, he stressed that if individuals feel capable of intervening safely, their actions should be supported. He added that public involvement is an important part of maintaining community safety, not just the responsibility of the police.

Sir Mark also expressed frustration that some retailers fail to cooperate fully with police, for example by not sharing CCTV footage, allowing staff to give statements, or supporting them in attending court.

He said he understood why companies might not want employees engaging in physical confrontations without proper training, but questioned why a retailer would not back a staff member who felt able to act safely.

Mr Egan, also speaking on the programme, described the personal impact of losing his job, saying it had taken a serious toll on his mental health and family life. He said he had been dealing with depression and attending counselling, describing the experience as "a black hole" in his life. Having worked for Morrisons his entire career, he said the lack of support from the company had been particularly difficult.

Recounting the incident, Mr Egan said he had been dealing with a known shoplifter whom he saw placing bottles of spirits into a bag. He asked the individual to return the items, in line with company policy, but was refused. When he said he would report the matter to the police, the man became more aggressive.

Mr Egan said he then followed procedure by escorting the individual out of the store. However, as they passed the tills, the man turned and spat at him, prompting him to react in self-defence.

Morrisons has been approached for comment.

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