What’s the truth about the Peckham shop scuffle?

Rye Lane in south London’s Peckham is a lively place day and night, but yesterday evening the atmosphere was distinctly ugly. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside a store to protest about a shopkeeper’s treatment of a customer, who was accused of theft. A viral video, filmed inside Peckham Hair and Cosmetics on Monday, shows why they are angry: a black woman is seen being manhandled by an Asian employee.

The circumstances of what unfolded are unclear; some reports suggest the woman was trying to return some items but was told she couldn’t and attempted to leave. Her path was blocked by the shopkeeper and a fight between the two broke out. As the woman struggles, she smashes the man with a shopping basket; he then restrains the lady, holding her by her arms and neck.

The shopkeeper insists the footage has been taken out of context: ‘We do not give refunds, we exchange items or give a credit note.