Protest for Morrisons manager sacked over thief

Customers have shown their support for a protest at a Morrisons supermarket where a store manager was sacked for tackling a thief.

Sean Egan, 46, who had worked at the Aldridge store, near Walsall, for 29 years, was devastated when he was dismissed following an incident in December, after he intervened when a repeat shoplifter became abusive.

The story was catapulted into the national headlines, with politicians and the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police rushing to show their support.

A spokesperson for the store said its focus was "entirely on taking the correct action to ensure health and safety is maintained at all times".

The "peaceful" demonstration has been scheduled for Saturday morning, as "Sean did so much for his customers and the community and continuously raised tens of thousands of pounds for different charities", organisers said.

Egan has planned to run from the Bilston supermarket to the protest, he told BBC Radio WM, to raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice.

The former store manager, who lives in Wolverhampton, said: "The support I've had from the nation is outstanding.

"I've worked there for a long time. I'm happy that I've been acknowledged by the people I served for so long. It has meant so much to me – I'm indebted to the people of Aldridge."

Lucie Dennis, who used to work with Egan, plans to attend the demonstration to show her support for him.

She told listeners: "Sean was known for being a fantastic manager at Morrisons. In Aldridge there are so many customers and he would recognise them and greet them. He was a lovely manager to work for; he was patient.

"This poor man has spiralled into a state of despair. He needs a job. Whatever we can do to support him, let's all work together."

He appeared on Good Morning Britain on ITV, where Sir Mark Rowley, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, threw his support behind the former store manager, saying he "sympathised completely".

Rowley added: "I'm bewildered by the case. If a store manager feels they are able to intervene and they feel they can do that safely, we'd always want people to do that. We want the public to be part of the fight against crime."

A Morrisons spokesperson said the store could not comment on individual cases, but that the health and safety of all colleagues and customers was of paramount importance.

They added: "We have very clear guidance, procedures and controls in place to protect our colleagues and customers from the risk of harm, which must be strictly followed.

"These include detailed procedures for handling shoplifting incidents, which are designed to protect both the colleague involved and surrounding colleagues and customers, and which seek to de‑escalate and calmly control the situation. We will not ask colleagues to put themselves at risk."

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