Marks & Spencer has launched a blistering attack on Sir Sadiq Khan, accusing the London Mayor of losing control of crime in the capital, as violence and disorder spread across high streets.
In an unusually direct intervention, the retail giant warned that lawlessness is worsening and putting ordinary shoppers and staff at risk, while Khan appears more focused on dismissing criticism than confronting the reality on the ground.
The row follows chaotic scenes in south London, where mobs of teenagers rampaged through shops, including a Marks & Spencer store in Clapham. Footage showed large groups storming premises, forcing some shopkeepers to barricade entrances as disorder spread.
Retailers now fear a repeat over the bank holiday weekend, with police issuing urgent warnings to parents amid a surge in so called social media “link ups”, organised gatherings of youths that have quickly descended into theft, vandalism and violence.
At the centre of the backlash is Khan, who this week dismissed concerns about safety in London as “lies”, a claim that has angered business leaders dealing with the consequences of rising crime every day.
Thinus Keeve, Marks & Spencer’s retail director, described a worsening situation on the front line. Staff have been assaulted, including one worker who was headbutted and another taken to hospital after an ammonia attack in the past week alone.
He warned that such incidents are no longer rare, but part of a growing pattern. Crime, he said, is becoming “more brazen, more organised and more aggressive”, and increasingly routine.
Marks & Spencer has now written directly to both Khan and the Home Secretary, demanding urgent action. The message from the retailer is clear, businesses say they are being left exposed while those in power fail to act decisively.
Keeve also challenged official claims that crime is falling, saying they do not match what staff are experiencing. For many working in retail, he suggested, the idea that things are improving is simply not believable.
Across the industry, frustration is growing. Major chains including Co op and Tesco have warned of an epidemic of shoplifting and rising abuse of workers. Figures indicate that retail staff faced around 1,600 incidents of violence or abuse every day last year, a figure many believe understates the true scale.
Meanwhile, shoplifting in London has continued to rise, reinforcing the perception among businesses that the problem is getting worse. Despite this, critics say Khan has struck a complacent tone, insisting the capital is safe while retailers deal with escalating disorder.
Police have suggested that retailers should do more, a claim that has deepened frustration among companies that say they have already invested heavily in security measures, including surveillance systems, barriers and guards.
Keeve argued that the tools to tackle crime already exist, but are not being used effectively. What is missing, he said, is leadership and urgency, something critics argue is lacking at City Hall.
The growing backlash raises serious questions about Khan’s handling of crime in London. With incidents increasing and confidence in public safety weakening, critics say the Mayor can no longer dismiss concerns.
For retailers and their staff, the conclusion is stark, the situation is getting worse, not better, and those responsible for tackling it are failing to keep pace.
