Video: African students asked to leave Highpoint Apple store

A video showing a group of African students being asked to leave an Apple store at Highpoint shopping centre in Melbourne on Tuesday has caused widespread outrage on social media amid claims of blatant racism.

The video, which was posted on Facebook on Tuesday night, and has since been viewed more than 33,000 times, clearly shows an Apple staff member telling the Maribyrnong College boys that the store’s security staff were concerned they were going to shoplift.

‘These guys are just a bit worried about your presence in our store,’ an Apple staff member is heard telling the teenagers. ‘They’re just a bit worried you might steal something.’

The students appear shocked by the accusation and despite their protests are asked to leave.

‘Guys, end of discussion, I need to ask you to leave our store,’ the staff member says.

Apple has since apologised.

A spokeswoman from Apple said it was looking into the situation but said Apple was committed to cultural diversity and inclusion.

Tom Elliott said he doesn’t think the incident has nothing to do with the colour of their skin.

He said he was taught to be wary of groups of teens when he worked in retail.

‘That’s how thieves operate – two of them will distract you, the others will stuff things into their backpacks,’ Tom said.

‘To say it’s racism automatically is to simply say that every time someone says to you ‘I’m sorry, you can’t come in’ it must be racist.’

Tom commended the employees for displaying ‘good retail practice’.

Click play to hear Tom Elliott’s editorial