Outrage after Primark security guard ‘physically pulls baby from mother’s breast in breastfeeding row’

Leicester’s Primark is investigating claims a security guard physically pulled a nine-month-old baby from her mother's breast during a row over public breastfeeding.

Furious at the alleged incident, Caroline Starmer wrote on Facebook: “I feel I need to share a horrific experience I had today at my local Primark store in Leicester.

“My 9.5 month old daughter started crying, needing a feed and the queues were pretty long, so to save my daughter the upset, and the other customers too, I decided to find a quiet spot out the way of others and feed her discreetly.

“Within 5 minutes of doing so, I was approached by a security guard who asked me to vacate the premises to feed my daughter.

“I stood my ground and stated my rights, that I can legally feed where I want… just for the security officer to physically remove my daughter from my breast and walk down the store with her, saying if I wanted my daughter, then I was to come and get her.

“Obviously, I went and retrieved my daughter as soon as my senses got the better of me. And I went straight to the local police station afterwards to lodge a complaint.

“My husband has been on the phone to the assistant manager of the Primark store on and off all afternoon, and they said they would investigate it. However, since he admitted he could see me on cctv, he hasn't called back since.

“My confidence is shot, and my poor daughter hasn't been herself all afternoon.”

Unsurprisingly, Caroline was inundated with messages following her shocking allegations - and Primark is now investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: “We wish to make it absolutely clear that mothers are welcome to breastfeed in our stores.

"We are investigating this incident urgently, and take these claims very seriously.”

If you witnessed the incident, please call 0207 293 3759 now.