A man was filmed attempting to steal multiple display phones from an Apple store at Battersea Power Station before being stopped by security guards and employees. The incident occurred on Thursday, according to reports.
The video, reportedly captured at the London store, shows a hooded individual removing several devices from their security tethers and heading towards the exit. As the man reached the doorway, security personnel and store staff intervened, tackling him to the ground. They then retrieved the phones, sliding them across the floor to colleagues.
This incident comes amid a reported surge in shoplifting offenses. Data from the Metropolitan Police indicated a 37 percent increase in shoplifting between February and July, with a small number of individuals linked to thousands of thefts. Nationally, shoplifting offenses in England and Wales rose by 5 percent in the year to September 2025, reaching over 519,000, according to ONS figures. London alone recorded more than 100,000 offenses in the year to October 2025, a significant increase from 2023.
The Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist acknowledged that the response to retail crime has been inadequate in the past, but stated that new technology and closer collaboration with retailers have been implemented to address the issue. However, he also called for systemic changes to prevent repeat offending.
The Apple Store at Battersea Power Station, one of the tech giant's 40 UK stores, opened in June 2023. The complex also features the Apple Music Hall venue.