Sainsbury’s has sacked an employee who helped security guards tackle two shoplifters.
Jorge Costa, a manager in the fruit and vegetable section at Sainsbury’s Hertford, said he intervened when he heard a woman “screaming for help” and saw the guards struggling with two suspected shoplifters.
He was fired without notice two weeks after the altercation, at the end of July.
It is understood that Sainsbury’s dismissed Mr Costa on the basis that he had put other colleagues at risk, citing concerns that the altercation could have escalated.
The 57-year-old admitted he had punched one of the shoplifters, but said it was in self-defence.
Now, a petition is growing to reinstate Mr Costa at the shop. Laura Cook, who launched the campaign, said the dismissal was “profoundly unfair”.
She wrote: “Known for his kindness, diligence, and exceptional service, Jorge was a familiar and friendly face for customers and colleagues alike.
“However, a deeply unfortunate incident led to Jorge’s unjust dismissal. This decision by Sainsbury’s Hertford is not only profoundly unfair but also a great loss to our community.”
‘It’s wrong I was treated like this’
Mr Costa said he was treated “like a hero” after the incident.
He told the Daily Mail: “I saw the security guard fighting with two shoplifters. They were trying to hold both of them, I tried to stop them running away with the goods.
“I went and held one of the shoplifters – I’ve asked many times for them to leave the goods on the floor and I’ll let [them] go.”
The shoplifters then dropped the items and left the shop, he said. He added: “After everything finished, everyone came to me and thanked me.
“I’m very disappointed, I’ve been depressed for a long time. I think it’s wrong I was treated like this, it’s been hard for me to find a job. I’d worked at Sainsbury’s for two years. I’d never been late, never missed one day.”
Sainsbury’s said its employees were subjected to an “unacceptable level” of aggression, but maintained nevertheless that Mr Costa had committed gross misconduct.
A spokesman said: “Our colleagues face unacceptable levels of theft, aggression and violence in stores every day, and we know how challenging these situations can be.
“The safety of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority, and we continue to invest in security measures and training for colleagues, alongside working in close partnership with the police to tackle offending.
“Our procedures are designed to prevent incidents escalating, and where they are not followed, we have a responsibility to take appropriate action.”
Rise in incidents
Shoplifting offences have soared since the pandemic.
The number of shoplifting offences rose by 133 per cent between 2020 and 2025, according to official data from the House of Commons Library. But fewer than one fifth of offences resulted in a charge.
The number of thefts reported to police rose from 228,128 in 2020-21 to 530,457 in 2024-25, including 6,215 in Hertfordshire last year.
Supermarkets have come under fire for so-called “deter-not-detain” policies designed to keep staff safe, with videos circulating on social media showing criminals walking out of shops unchallenged.
In May, Sainsbury’s sacked a shop assistant in south-east London who tackled a shoplifter hurling wine bottles.
Gary MacArthur, who worked at a Sainsbury’s store in West Wickham for 15 years, was sacked for gross misconduct after two altercations with a known repeat shoplifter last year.
Waitrose also sacked a member of staff who had worked for the supermarket for 17 years after he stopped a suspected shoplifter stealing a bag of luxury Easter eggs earlier this year.