The next time you're doing your weekly shop, take a moment to appreciate the staff around you.
They're not just there to stock shelves and scan barcodes—sometimes, they're the silent guardians who notice what you might miss entirely.
That's exactly what happened to Nafela during what should have been a routine late-night grocery run at a Sydney Woolworths. Her experience serves as a stark reminder of both the dangers that can lurk in everyday places and the extraordinary difference that alert, caring employees can make.
In this article
A routine shop turns sinister
Nafela was simply picking up groceries when she first noticed him—a man in a grey hoodie who smiled at her from across the fruit and vegetable aisle. Nothing unusual there, she thought. Perhaps he recognised her, or maybe he was just being friendly.
But while Nafela continued her shopping, completely unaware of any danger, the Woolworths staff were watching. They'd noticed something she hadn't: the same man had been quietly trailing her from aisle to aisle for thirty long minutes.
As closing time approached at 10pm, Nafela made her way to the checkout, ready to head home. That's when a quick-thinking employee approached her.
'Do you know that man in the grey hoodie?'
'She's whispering at me and she's like... 'Please come here.' I was like, 'Is everything OK?' She pulls me over to the side,' Nafela recounted in a video she later shared. When the employee pointed out the man who'd smiled at her earlier, Nafela was genuinely puzzled.
The employee's next words sent chills down her spine: 'He's been following you very suspiciously from aisle to aisle. He's been lurking from a distance and we noticed him, and we feel extremely uncomfortable for you.'
The disturbing reality emerges
What happened next revealed just how calculated this stalker's behaviour had been. While Nafela waited inside the store for a male employee to escort her safely to her car, she watched the man leave—and noticed something deeply unsettling.
He already had shopping bags waiting outside the store. This meant he'd completed his shopping earlier, left his purchases outside, then returned to the store specifically to follow her around.
'If the employee and her male co-worker had not noticed he was following me, I would have been none the wiser,' Nafela reflected.
But the ordeal was far from over. Once outside, the stalker escalated his behaviour dramatically.
What happened next:
The man waited in a utility vehicle in the carpark
He turned on spotlights to try to blind Nafela as she got in her car
When she left the carpark, he was waiting at a nearby roundabout
He followed her for 15 minutes until she reached a police station
Only then did he finally disappear
A problem hiding in plain sight
Nafela's experience isn't an isolated incident. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals one in seven adult Australians have been stalked in their lifetime: one in five women and one in 15 men. That's approximately 2.7 million Australians who've experienced this terrifying violation of their safety and privacy.
The timing of this incident is particularly relevant given the heightened focus on retail safety in 2024. The ABS reported 595,660 victims of theft nationally in 2024—the highest number in 21 years and a 6 per cent increase on the previous year. According to the ABS, thefts at retail locations rose from 32 per cent of all thefts in 2010 to 45 per cent in 2024.
Recent violent incidents and the increasing abuse directed at workers have made 2024 another critical year for reassessing safety, security, and risk management strategies—particularly in crowded places like shopping centres.
This became evident in April 2024, when a tragic violent incident at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney resulted in the deaths of six people, including five women and one man. This stabbing attack, which unfolded in a crowded public space, sent shockwaves through the nation, highlighting the vulnerabilities of busy shopping precincts.
How retail staff become everyday heroes
While we don't have specific details about Woolworths' staff training protocols, Nafela's experience demonstrates how observant employees can become the first line of defence against predatory behaviour. The staff members who helped her showed exactly the right instincts:
- They noticed unusual behaviour patterns
- They trusted their instincts about something feeling 'off'
- They acted discretely to avoid escalating the situation
- They provided practical protection by arranging a male escort
- They didn't dismiss their concerns as 'probably nothing'
Red flags that alert staff should watch for:
- Someone following another customer from aisle to aisle
- Lingering behaviour without apparent shopping purpose
- Excessive attention paid to one particular customer
- Returning to the store after completing purchases
- Any behaviour that makes staff feel uncomfortable about a customer's safety
Staying safe during shopping trips
For seniors who often shop alone, Nafela's experience offers valuable lessons about staying vigilant without living in fear:
Trust your instincts: If someone's attention feels inappropriate or persistent, it probably is. Don't dismiss those feelings as paranoia.
Be aware of your surroundings: Take note of who's around you, especially if you notice the same person in multiple locations.
Shop during busy times when possible: Well-staffed stores with plenty of customers provide natural protection through visibility.
Vary your shopping routine: Don't shop at exactly the same time and place every week, which can make you predictable to someone with ill intentions.
Know your exit strategies: Be aware of where staff are located and don't hesitate to approach them if you feel uncomfortable.
If you ever find yourself in a situation like Nafela's, remember these key steps:
- Stay in the store and alert staff immediately
- Don't leave alone if you suspect you're being followed
- If someone follows you in a vehicle, drive to the nearest police station
- Never lead a stalker to your home
Did you know?
Did you know?
Retail crime, such as shoplifting, robbery, and vandalism, costs Australian businesses $9 billion annually, but incidents like stalking often go unreported, making them harder to track and address systematically.
A community effort
Nafela's story highlights something beautiful about Australian community values—the willingness of everyday workers to look out for their customers' welfare. In an era where we're often told people don't want to get involved, these Woolworths employees proved that caring about your fellow human beings is still very much alive.
'If you see this, honestly, thank you so much, you may have just saved my life,' Nafela said, addressing the employees who helped her.
She's since reported the incident to police, and by sharing her story publicly, she's helping other women recognise the warning signs and encouraging them to stay vigilant.
The broader message here extends beyond personal safety. It's about recognising that we're all part of a community, and sometimes the person scanning your groceries or restocking the shelves is also the person who might notice what you don't and step up when it matters most.
What This Means For You
Next time you're out shopping, remember Nafela's story. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and don't forget to appreciate the everyday heroes working around us who take our safety seriously.
Have you ever experienced something similar while out shopping, or noticed retail staff going above and beyond to help customers? We'd love to hear your stories and any additional safety tips you might have for fellow shoppers.
Primary Source
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...tml?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
Stalking rates in Australia are still shockingly high—one simple strategy might help
Cited text: New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals one in seven adult Australians have been stalked in their lifetime: one in five women ...
Excerpt: New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals one in seven adult Australians have been stalked in their lifetime: one in five women and one in 15 men.
https://phys.org/news/2024-10-stalking-australia-high-simple-strategy.html
Shopping centres take aim at surging retail crime—Ragtrader
Cited text: The ABS reported 595,660 victims of theft nationally in 2024—the highest number in 21 years and a 6 per cent increase on the previous year.According...
Excerpt: The ABS reported 595,660 victims of theft nationally in 2024—the highest number in 21 years and a 6 per cent increase on the previous year.
https://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/shopping-centres-take-aim-at-surging-retail-crime
Managing Risk in Retail: What we’ve learned about Enhancing Safety and Security in Australia’s Crowded Shopping Centres in 2024—Vanguard Risk
Cited text: However, recent violent incidents and the increasing abuse directed at workers have made 2024 another critical year for reassessing safety, security, ...
Excerpt: Recent violent incidents and the increasing abuse directed at workers have made 2024 another critical year for reassessing safety, security, and risk management strategies—particularly in crowded places like shopping centres.
https://vanguardrisk.com.au/resourc...-australias-crowded-shopping-centres-in-2024/
Retail Crime | National Retail Association Australia
Cited text: Retail crime, such as shoplifting, robbery, and vandalism, costs Australian businesses $9 billion annually.
Excerpt: Retail crime, such as shoplifting, robbery, and vandalism, costs Australian businesses $9 billion annually
https://www.nationalretail.org.au/policy-advocacy/safe-retail/retail-crime/
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