The Iceland boss wants his security guards to carry pepper spray and truncheons — yep, we’re being deadly serious

The guy in charge at the frozen food retailer thinks shop workers need way more protection — and his solution is pretty bloody intense 👀

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Iceland’s big boss Lord Richard Walker has proposed letting trained retail security guards carry things like truncheons and pepper spray as shoplifting and abuse on the high street keeps on rising.

He’s even put forward an actual bill in the House of Lords that would introduce a proper licensing system for shop security — basically creating different levels depending on training and responsibility.

Under his plans, some guards could be allowed to physically detain suspected shoplifters using “reasonable force” and carry approved gear like restraint tools.

And yeah, he’s not being very subtle about it.

Walker says retail staff are dealing with a full-on “shoplifting war” right now, adding:
“We need the full force of the law… we’re constantly fighting with one arm behind our back.”

This all comes as Iceland gets ready to roll out facial recognition tech in 19 of its stores UK next week — because apparently things have got that bad.

Most big retailers like Boots and Greggs actually tell staff NOT to get involved in shoplifting at all — mainly because it’s just not worth the risk.

Still, retail crime is clearly a huge problem.
Stores have spent around £5 BILLION in the past five years trying to deal with theft and abuse — from extra security to high-tech tracking systems.

Walker’s argument? Other countries don’t mess around or as polite about it as we are.
“In Spain security guards have pepper sprays and truncheons,” he said.

So yeah — the UK could be heading in that direction too.

The bill hasn’t even been approved yet, and it still needs to go through multiple stages in Parliament.
But if it does go ahead… your local shop security might start looking a lot more serious 👀