London Trading Standards launched a probe right into a hair and wonder store within the English capital following an incident where a male working in the shop is seen on video assaulting a Black female customer, suspecting her of shoplifting, on Monday, Sept. 8.
Local activists have identified the person because the store owner, Sohail Sindho. He claimed the lady tried to steal items from the shelves and walked out using the refund row.
This store, which faced protests launched by the community group Ceaselessly Family and the UK domestic abuse charity Sistah Space, drew community outrage when a witness suggested the attack wasn’t attributable to theft but because the lady had requested a refund. The owner also confirmed that the altercation was over the refund policy.
Peckham Hair and Cosmetics’ no refund policy will probably be thoroughly investigated.
Many shoppers had filed complaints with LTS and online over the policy, believing it was unfair and possibly a breach of consumer rights.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, retailers in London are legally obligated to supply a full refund if a product is faulty, misrepresented, or fails to satisfy its intended purpose. Because of this of the law, a business that institutes a uniform no-refund policy is engaging in an illegal practice.
“We’re aware of the problems in relation to their ‘no refunds’ policy and are already within the strategy of investigating the allegations and advising the corporate accordingly, to make sure future compliance with applicable consumer protection laws,” a representative from London Trading Standards said to the The Independent.
While the policy is under investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Southwark inside the Metropolitan Police, continues to be investigating the viral choking that has been circulated online.
“We all know people will probably be concerned a few video circulating online of an incident in a store,” Adejei-Addoh said in an announcement, adding that his officers are investigating the incident.
“The investigation will include reviewing the actions of everyone involved. I would really like to thank people in our local people for remaining calm and giving us the time to conduct an intensive investigation,” the detective said.
Many Black locals say they are sometimes suspected of shoplifting and followed around stores.
Cleopatra Thompson, who protested the incident, says she particularly feels unsafe in Asian-owned stores.
“I’ve been followed around and watched like a hawk in these shops in South London. I don’t wish to spend a minute or a penny more in these shops that don’t respect me,” she said in an interview concerning the incident and protest to Dazed Digital, who identified the owner within the video by name.
The video shows the person grabbing the 31-year-old woman by the neck as the two of them re-enter the shop. While struggling to interrupt loose, she hits Sindho in the pinnacle with a green shopping basket. Sindho doesn’t relinquish his hold on her neck, eventually gripping her body.
Two days after the incident, the lady was arrested on suspicion of assault, while Sindho faced no charges. Reportedly, she has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
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