Thaindian News

Croydon, June 13 (THAINDIAN NEWS) The Swedish company Ikea is now involved in a racism row after it employed a number of security officers to prevent “gypsies” from entering its car parks.

Ikea has banned caravans and mobile homes from entering their premises in order to prevent gypsies from camping at the car parks. This controversial move has received increased opposition and criticism from campaigners and human rights activists.

Ikea has since insisted that it is protecting its own interests.
Customers of the firm have been left angered and shocked after security guards and parking attendants at the Valley Park store, in Croydon, south London, asked them if they were gypsies.

Organization like the Gypsy Council has declared that the Swedish company’s management officials should be ashamed of themselves. Garry Deakin, the Ikea store manager at Croydon, has defended the practice stating that Croydon’s traveling community have attempted to establish their mobile homes in the company’s car park, posing a health and safety risk because of the build up human and animal waste left by the travelers.

After discussing potential initiatives with the local traveler liaison officer and Croydon Council, Ikea decided to implement prevention measures to secure their car park.