Police Investigating Claim that Primark Security Guard Removed Baby From Mother’s Breast Whilst Feeding

Police are investigating the claims of a woman who says that a Primark security guard removed her baby from her breast while she was breastfeeding. Caroline Starmer was in the Leicester store when she decided to go to a quiet spot and feed her daughter who had started crying. After five minutes a security guard allegedly approached her and asked her to leave. She shared details of the incident on the Free to Feed Facebook page, revealing that it has affected both her and her baby girl. Primark has since said that it is investigating the matter and take the claims “very seriously.” In response to critics on Twitter, the brand said: “we welcome mums to breastfeed in our stores and we are currently investigating this claim as a matter of urgency.”   UPDATE (3.50pm): Primark have released an official statement on the alleged incident on their website. It reads: “We have investigated this customer’s allegation which we naturally take very seriously indeed.

“The CCTV footage, reviewed by store management, shows the customer in the Leicester store quite clearly during the time in question. We can see no evidence that she was approached by anyone during this period.

“We have spoken to the security guards on duty. They categorically deny behaving in the way alleged. Furthermore the individuals do not fit the description given by the customer.

“We have therefore concluded that the customer allegation is not supported by the available evidence to date. The company would obviously be happy to work with any police investigation into this incident, should this be needed.

“We have tried to contact the customer to reassure her about Primark’s practice on breastfeeding.

“At Primark, we work hard to provide all the comfort and facilities possible to our customers.  Our policy is quite clear. We do not prohibit breastfeeding. In addition, any customer can request a quiet or private area within the store to breastfeed her child and our staff will  do all they can to accommodate such a request. Please do not hesitate to ask staff for assistance.”