Iceland workers told not to share images of robbing ‘toe rags’ as it ‘breaches thieves’ privacy’
The Information Commissioner's Office claim personal information must be protected under the Data Protection Act
SHOP workers have been warned not to share images of thugs and thieves with colleagues — because it breaches crooks’ privacy.
The extraordinary order was revealed by the boss of Iceland, whose security guards have been forced to wear body cameras as the result of attacks.
Iceland is in hot water with Government data protection watchdogs for sharing information on shoplifters with other retailers.
WhatsApp groups set up to share the details have been branded illegal.
Malcolm Walker, 70, chief executive of Iceland, called it “political correctness gone mad”.
He revealed there had been 490 assaults on his staff in the last ten months, leaving 208 injured.
More than 100 attacks involved a weapon.
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He added: “We liaise with other retailers and share information. Surprisingly, we are being taken to task on this.
"The thugs — or as our security manager prefers to call them, ‘toe rags’ — are apparently entitled to their privacy.”
A spokeswoman for the Information Commissioner’s Office said: “If you handle personal information you have obligations to protect that information under the (Data Protection) Act.”