A Tesco shopper who was beaten in the street after she stood up to shoplifters has revealed how her ordeal has ruined her life.
Emilie Martin, 39, of east London, was shopping at the chain supermarket in the capital’s Hackney area in 2015 when the horrifying attack happened.
The event manager spotted a gang of teenagers stealing sandwiches which, with no security guard to be seen, she reported to the store manager.
The worker told her the staff were powerless to stop them, confessing the group targeted the store nearly every day.
But Ms Martin did not realise the youths had overheard the encounter – and when she left the store, they surrounded her and sprayed her with a drink.
After threatening to call the police, she was punched in the face. Her attackers were never caught.
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber last week called for the public not to stand by when they see shoplifting – but call it out.
Nearly 10 years on from her experience, Ms Martin, after seeing his comments, has now spoken out again, to warn the public of the risks such confrontations can carry.
Emilie Martin (pictured, with her injuries after her ordeal), 39, of east London , was shopping at the chain supermarket in the capital’s Hackney area in 2015 when the horrifying attack happened
The event manager (pictured at the time) spotted a gang of teenagers stealing sandwiches which, with no security guard to be seen, she reported to the store manager
But Ms Martin did not realise the youths had overheard the encounter – and when she left the store, they surrounded her and sprayed her with a drink. After threatening to call the police, she was punched in the face (pictured, her injuries)
She told The Telegraph the shocking ambush has left her with an array of physical health problems, including permanent scarring and breathing issues.
The brave bystander has had two operations on her eye and nose, which were left swollen, bruised and bloodied by the attack.
Even a decade on, she is still awaiting a procedure for the chronic sinusitis the attack left her with, having spent a whopping 18 months on an NHS waiting list.
This kind of sinus swelling is common and usually goes away on its own – but Ms Martin has fought it every day since her violent ordeal.
She has also been diagnosed with PTSD, leaving her hyper-vigilant and highly anxious – and dubbing substantive mental health support on the NHS a ‘mirage’.
Ms Martin now has to avoid Tesco, Hackney Central and any news reports about similarly violent shoplifting gangs because she feels too on edge.
In fact, going to any supermarket now makes her extremely nervous – and she also crosses the road any time she sees a group of teenage boys
Ms Martin said the Metropolitan Police has ‘shown little concern’ about what happened and Tesco claimed CCTV footage of what happened was accidentally lost.
The shocking ambush (pictured, her injuries) has left her with an array of physical health problems, including permanent scarring and breathing issues
Ms Martin said the Metropolitan Police has ‘shown little concern’ about what happened and Tesco claimed CCTV footage of what happened was accidentally lost. Pictured: The Tesco in Hackney
The courageous woman also told of the trauma that came from a gruelling four-year battle to win even a small amount of compensation.
She submitted a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) in 2017 – but it was rejected, forcing her through two tribunal hearings.
Only six years after she was attacked, in June 2021, was she finally awarded £3,480 by the government body, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Ms Martin felt she had been failed by the police, justice system, CICA, the NHS and Tesco.
‘On the night of the attack, I wasn’t even offered an ice pack, let alone an apology,’ she said.
The whole experience has left her feeling like she would not want to challenge any shoplifters again.
The remarks on shoplifting by Mr Barber which saw her speak out again were: ‘If you’re not even going to challenge people, you’re not going to try and stop them, then people will get away with it.
‘That’s not just about policing. That’s a bigger problem with society, people who [don’t do anything] – you’re part of the problem.’
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber (pictured) last week called for the public not to stand by when they see shoplifting – but call it out
Ms Martin explained in an open letter to the Thames Valley PCC that she understood his point and agreed the public has a role in stopping shoplifting.
But she said there needs to be more comprehensive protection and help for those who stick their head above the parapet to do the right thing.
She questioned if the police chief knew what he was really asking in urging the public to confront shoplifters – as her experience had made her fully aware of the risks.
Mr Barber responded, dubbing her ordeal ‘horrific’, saying he understood why it had stuck with her ever since.
He said it highlighted society must do everything in its power to reduce crime – and showed offences like shoplifting are not as victimless as many might think.
The Thames Valley PCC said Ms Martin’s experience was one of those sad examples, which must be avoided, of no one stepping in to help.
The police boss emphasised it was the police’s job to reduce crime and catch criminals in the act.
But everyone must band together, he underlined, to ensure we do not live in a society where people simply look the other way when crime occurs.
Ms Martin explained in an open letter to the Thames Valley PCC that she understood his point and agreed the public has a role in stopping shoplifting. Pictured: File photo of security tags on meat at Tesco
Ms Martin’s brave response to his comments marks only the second time she has spoken publicly about her experience.
She said she knew many have done as she did – spoken out against shoplifting, faced repercussions and been left without adequate support – and wanted them to know they are not alone.
The courageous woman said she wants her experience to prompt improvements to CICA’s dealings with victims.
She also called for rules forcing large retailers like Tesco to hang on to relevant CCTV in violent cases like this, with penalty fines to punish breaches.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘This was investigated thoroughly at the time and regrettably, we were unable to identify a suspect.
‘The Met Police is working to support shopkeepers and tackle theft in the capital, this year solving 163 per cent more shoplifting cases than in the same period last year.
‘If you see criminal activity taking place, please call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘We understand the devastating impact of shop theft on retailers.
It comes as shoplifting surges to a record high across the UK, spiralling out of control in stores throughout the nation. Pictured: File photo of a recent shoplifting crime caught on camera at a Sainsbury’s supermarket in London
‘Since Ms Martin applied for compensation in 2017, we have improved how victims apply for compensation with a better online system and improved training for staff so the process is more straight-forward.
‘Our landmark Crime and Policing Bill will also end the effective immunity for theft of goods under £200 and bring in a specific offence for assaulting retail workers, while the Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy is gathering data to better target and respond to perpetrators.’
It comes as shoplifting surges to a record high across the UK, spiralling out of control in stores throughout the nation.
Rates rose by 20 per cent to hit another record, according to official figures released last month.
Police recorded 530,643 offences in England and Wales in the year to March 2025 – the highest figure since records begun and up from 444,022 in the previous year.
Shoplifting has become an increasing nightmare for High Street shops, with only a tiny minority of offenders ever charged.
The epidemic is illustrated by sickening CCTV revealing thieves casually walking out of stores with armfuls of high-value goods.
And the crisis is particularly acute in London, which has recorded a shocking 50 per cent boom in shoplifting, up from 53,202 in 2023 to 80,041 last year.
The Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley PCC, Tesco and the East London NHS Foundation Trust have been approached for comment.
