In the viral video, the shopkeeper appears to strangle the woman.
A 45-year-old shopkeeper in Peckham, south-east London, was questioned by police after a video of an argument in his shop went viral on the internet and sparked protests. The video, recorded Monday, showed a black woman hitting a man with a shopping basket as he appeared to strangle her. The images angered people in the area, who objected to the man’s actions. The man was interviewed under caution, meaning he has not been arrested but is still under investigation. The woman was also questioned by the police. Police are still investigating the incident and have not yet made any arrests.
According to the BBCHundreds of people gathered on Tuesday to protest outside Peckham Hair and Cosmetics, in Rye Lane, where the woman was charged with theft. Chants of “you touch one, you touch them all” were heard and signs reading “keep your hands off black women” were held.
The retailer said the images had been viewed “out of context”. He said the social media footage was “cropped” and did not fully show the entire incident. The store remains closed and closed.
Context: A black woman in Peckham was denied a refund for hair extensions and took something as personal compensation.
She was refused exit and began violently beating the shop owner before he proceeded to STRANGE her. pic.twitter.com/OEYZinoAOH
— ᴼᴹᴳ ᶥᵗˢ Adàeze (@nubianbarbieee) September 12, 2023
Speaking with the BBCAccording to the retailer, the woman had become aggressive when she was denied a refund for products she had previously purchased from the store.
“We don’t give refunds; we exchange items or issue a credit note. So she packed some things [three packs of hair with a total value of 24 pounds] off the shelf and tried to leave. She left and I stopped her.
“I stopped her. She punched me in the face, grabbed a shopping basket and hit me on the head. I don’t know when my hand goes around her neck. I kept her neutralized. I didn’t hit her.
“The video has been cropped. People are acting on half the truth.”
