In a video posted to social media on Monday, an unidentified black woman, who claims she was visiting Peckham Hair and Cosmetics to request a refund on hair extensions, was accused by the South Asian store owner, Sohail Sindo, of attempting to leave the store with stolen merchandise, which resulted in a physical altercation.
Surveillance video obtained by ITV News London reportedly shows the store owner blocking the woman from exiting the shop with alleged stolen items in hand. She then is seen hitting the store owner multiple times, including in the face, before he begins to apprehend her by pushing her back into the store. The video shows the store owner grabbing the woman's arms and neck as she continues to beat him.
After video of the incident emerged across social media, racial protests erupted outside the shop which shut down traffic on Wednesday. Demonstrators plastered signs all over the business that sent a stark warning to residents and business owners in the predominately black community.
Credit: Andy Ngo / The Post Millennial
One sign posted to the shop read, "Parasitic merchants out of our community," while another sign called for all businesses owned by non-black people on the strip to get out of town.
"It's not just this store...It's all of them on the strip!!! Black owned only," the poster read.
Credit: Andy Ngo / The Post Millennial
Outside the shop protesters could be heard chanting, "You touch one [black person], you touch all," according to senior editor of The Post Millennial Andy Ngo.
Locals are increasingly urging one another to boycott Peckham Hair and Cosmetics, reports ITV News. Sayce Holmes-Lewis, who founded Mentivity, urged a boycott on social media, writing: "Violence against women won't be tolerated. These people extract money from our communities every single day. Now we boycott them and ensure they go out of business."
Credit: Andy Ngo / The Post Millennial
Around 1 p.m. on Monday, police officers were called to the business, and the woman was taken into custody on suspicion of assault before being released on bail awaiting additional investigations.
Following the incident, Seb Adjei-Addoh, Detective Chief Superintendent of Southwark police, said: "We know people will be concerned about a video circulating online of an incident in a shop. Our officers attended on Monday to continue to investigate the full circumstances of what has taken place. The investigation will include reviewing the actions of everyone involved."
Credit: Andy Ngo / The Post Millennial
The Metropolitan police encouraged the community to "remain calm" on Wednesday, saying: "We are aware of a protest outside the shop and officers are in touch with the organizers. We appeal for people to remain calm while we carry out a full investigation."
