Walsall locals to hold protest in support of Wolverhampton man 'sacked by Morrisons for tackling shoplifter'

Sean Egan, aged 46, who had worked in the Aldridge Morrisons store, in Walsall, for 29 years, said he was sacked after tackling a repeated shoplifter, who became aggressive while being escorted from the supermarket.

Mr Egan, from Lanesfield in Wolverhampton, said the incident happened in December last year and was subsequently investigated by Morrisons.

The former store manager was involved in a disciplinary hearing.

He told the BBC that during this hearing he had been told he would be dismissed on the grounds of not following the company's deter-and-not-detain policy.

Now, local customers of the Morrisons store in Walsall are wanting to hold a peaceful protest in support of Mr Egan.

An ex-Morrisons customer has proposed holding the protest on Saturday 25 April starting at 9am to 12pm in Aldridge in the precinct.

The ex-customer said Mr Egan will be attendance at the protest, and he will run from the Bilston Morrisons to the Aldridge Morrisons store as he is currently raising funds for the Birmingham Half Marathon.

Mr Egan is running the half marathon May and is raising money for local children and families who use Acorns Children's Hospice.

The ex-customer said: “We can all get some huge banners printed and show support to a man that has supported us in the community heaps and bounds.

“Sean did so much for his customers and the community and continuously raised tens of thousands of pounds for different charities.

“It would be great for the community to come together and support Sean at his time in need.”

Morrisons told the BBC that it could not comment on individual cases, but the health and safety of all colleagues and customers was of paramount importance.