A former police sergeant, Jez Daniels, is demanding an apology from Morrisons after experiencing what he describes as racial profiling during a shopping incident in Newport. The incident, which took place in February 2022 amid COVID-19 restrictions, has left Daniels feeling anxious and unwanted in supermarkets.
Daniels believes he was unfairly targeted by store employees who accused him of shoplifting while purchasing rosé wine and chocolates. He asserts that wearing a face mask during the pandemic led staff to suspect him based solely on his appearance.
The encounter began when Daniels entered the Morrisons store in Rogerstone, Newport. He complied with safety regulations by wearing a surgical face mask but soon realized that staff were closely monitoring him.
Despite his intention to buy items for his children, Daniels felt the scrutiny intensify.
He attempted to demonstrate his innocence by holding his shopping bag open but was ultimately cornered by staff members who informed him he was banned from the store.
Daniels expressed disappointment at how he was treated, stating that it appeared as though staff made assumptions based on his race and appearance. He reached out to Morrisons' corporate office for clarification and was met with what he described as gaslighting responses.
Following the incident, Daniels utilized his expertise in cybersecurity to request CCTV footage from the store. Upon reviewing the video, he felt validated as it contradicted the accusations made against him.
He noted that the footage did not support claims of aggressive behavior or any intent to steal. Instead, it corroborated his account of events.
In correspondence with Morrisons, the company acknowledged discrepancies between staff statements and the CCTV footage. However, they maintained their stance regarding Daniels' alleged suspicious behavior while lifting his ban as a “gesture of goodwill.”
Despite this acknowledgment, Daniels is seeking formal recognition from Morrisons regarding their mistake and an apology for their treatment of him. The entire experience has left him feeling uneasy in supermarket environments, prompting him to prefer online shopping instead.
Looking ahead, Daniels hopes to raise awareness about consumer racial profiling, emphasizing that this issue is not new but has garnered more attention in recent years. He is committed to educating his children about how to handle similar situations, reflecting on a broader societal challenge that still requires significant change.
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