Black father stopped from buying paint as staff said son would 'graffiti'

25 February 2024 , 17:58

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Louis Gray alleges Hobbycraft employees 'racially profiled' him (Image: @louisgraysocial/X)

A black dad was prevented from purchasing paint for his four-year-old boy as staff members assumed his son would "use it to graffiti".

Louis Gray says employees at a Cardiff-based Hobbycraft "racially profiled" and "refused service" for the dad who was attempting to purchase paints for his son. But staff allegedly assumed it would be used in an "incidence of graffiti". The store insists it was because he could not provide ID for an age-related product.

Mr Gray says his son had hoped for a can of spray paint to coat his bike helmet in "a new colour to be like his idol". But in an email exchange with the arts and crafts store, Louis found himself told the store had refused his purchase because he could not provide an ID.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Gray said: "I was buying spray paint, to ironically spray my 4-year-old's bike helmet a new colour to be like his idol. You need to be 16 to buy spray paint in the UK, 16! Cool I accept that, but that's in place to stop 'incidences of graffiti', in my opinion very different to gambling and alcohol." Hobbycraft has confirmed they are investigating the incident and had a "zero tolerance approach" to racism.

Hobbycraft is investigating the issue and has a 'zero tolerance policy' on racial discrimination (file) (PA)

Claims from Mr Gray include being "surrounded" by three members of staff, one of which was "wearing a bodycam to record the transaction" while another "waved his hands in the air" to signal more staff. He told the Daily Mail : "It was the first time I have experienced racial profiling in front of my child. It’s something I always thought I could protect him from, however today, it was stolen from me. I was judged in front of him, I had to stay strong and keep my head up in the face of adversity."

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In an email to Mr Gray, Hobbycraft said: "We would once again like to apologise for your recent experience in our store, we have a zero tolerance approach to racism here at Hobbycraft and this is not how we want any of our customers to feel. As an employer we are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for our colleagues and customers, and therefore take your feedback very seriously."

Hobbycraft is continuing to investigate the issue, which Louis took to Twitter /X as he aired his grievances. He wrote on social media of the alleged racial profiling which left his four-year-old son "confused" and asking "Would that happen to me because I'm like you daddy?".

Ewan Gleadow