A brave security guard was assaulted after trying to stop brazen shoplifters stealing from a branch of Greggs.
A shocking video taken at one pastry outlet showed the worker being kicked and punched by a thief, after his accomplice ran off in broad daylight.
The guard endured a rain of blows when he tried to stop the second youth getting away.
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His attacker even carried on after the guard released him.
The clip ends with the guard fighting off the youth, who walks away with two associates.
It happened at the High Street branch in Croydon, south London on February 13.
Bakery chain Greggs has been increasingly targeted by shoplifters.
In response, it has upped its security measures – including deploying security guards some with bodycams.
Due to high theft rates, some branches moved items behind the counter, making the security role a deterrent against theft and staff intimidation.
Some viewers praised the guard, as reported by Need To Know.
One person said: “Respect for that security guard at least he had a go.”
Another viewer said: “All shop workers should be supplied with pepper spray.
“But we know that would never happen.”
And another said: “Why Greggs?
“All that for a baguette and doughnut.
“What’s the point?”
And someone else added: “Security in Greggs, what has this country become?”
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for tackling retail crime, said: “Tackling shoplifting continues to be a priority for the Met.
“We have made significant progress, which has resulted in a 4.5 per cent reduction in this type of crime since last April.
“By working with retailers, we are improving evidence gathering and intelligence on the most prolific offenders.
“We are also increasing the use of technology such as facial recognition, which has helped us solve double the number of shoplifting cases.”
Greggs has been approached for comment.
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