Shocking footage captures Tesco brawl as security guard stops alleged shoplifters

A Tesco security guard is being investigated after shocking footage captured a violent punch up between staff and two suspected shoplifters.

The brawl took place inside a Tesco superstore in Aston, Birmingham, when supermarket security tried to detain the alleged thieves.

Mobile phone footage, obtained by the Birmz Is Grime blog, captured a shop worker taking a swing at one of the suspects as he pleaded: “Don’t hit me, I’ve got nothing to do with it”.

The same store bouncer is then seen running over to another man being wrestled to the ground by staff, before aggressively delivering several heavy blows to his back with his elbow.

The shopper recording the footage in the store can be heard saying: “It’s getting silly now.

“It’s all mad. He’s mashing him up.”

‘It all got a bit crazy’

A witness in the store, who wished to remain anonymous, said the brawl broke out after two people were stopped by security guards on suspicion of stealing alcohol.

The witness said: “It all got a bit crazy and one of the security guards appeared to be very heavy-handed.

“He swung for one of the lads and then elbow dropped the other. His own colleagues had to pull him off at one point.

“I’m not sure his bosses are going to be very happy as he clearly lost his temper, but I think he got a whack in the face himself.

“At one point one of the fellas tried to bite him as well so you can understand him losing his rag a little, but it was still pretty unprofessional of him to react as he did.”

A Tesco spokesperson confirmed it is aware of the incident and is assisting the police with their enquiries.

Police appeal for information

West Midlands Police confirmed that officers were called to the superstore on Aston Lane at 3.40pm on Sunday (9 January) afternoon after a Tesco worker was punched in the face.

The agency security guard is now the subject of an internal investigation and is not currently working at the store.

A police spokeswoman said: “We are investigating reports of an assault at Tesco in Aston at 3.40pm on Sunday.

“We understand there was a fight between security staff and a suspected thief, during which a staff member was punched in the face.

“As part of our investigation, we’ll be speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV. We’ll also review videos that we know have been posted online.”

Anyone who has any information about the incident is urged to contact the police via the Live Chat function on the website, or by calling 101.

Callers should quote crime reference number 20/121621/22.

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