Police are investigating a confrontation at a store in south London between a buyer and a person believed to be an worker, with viral video footage of the incident sparking protests.

Officers visited the store, Peckham Hair and Cosmetics in Rye Lane, Peckham, simply after 1.15pm on Monday following reviews a 31-year-old lady had tried to steal objects and was prevented from leaving by an worker.

The lady was arrested on suspicion of assault and later bailed pending additional enquiries, the Metropolitan Police mentioned.

There isn't any suggestion the person has been arrested.

Demonstrators gathered outdoors the store on Tuesday afternoon after the video was shared on social media.

Footage reveals a violent confrontation between the person, mentioned to be of Asian heritage, and the black lady.

He then seems to seize her by the throat earlier than restraining her by her arms, as she tries to interrupt free from his grasp.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: "I know Londoners are concerned by the recent events in a shop in Peckham. I'm in touch with the Met Police and am urgently seeking further information."

Sistah Space, a charity which helps girls of African and Caribbean heritage, criticised the police for arresting the lady.

They informed Sky News: "What we all saw in that video was traumatic. People do not understand how triggering this is to watch, much less to experience.

"This black lady was attacked and there's no excuse for it, so as to add insult to damage she was arrested and the perpetrator was left alone on the scene of the crime.

"She has been failed by the police and violently attacked by a criminal with no accountability."

The charity additionally shared footage on Instagram exhibiting girls chanting "shut it down, shut it down" outdoors the store in the course of the protest.

Activist Sayce Holmes-Lewis posted footage on social media urging folks to boycott the shop and to assemble outdoors at 2pm to peacefully protest.

"We hit them in the pocket, that's the only language they understand," he mentioned.

"Emotions can get the better of us sometimes so it's important that we keep a lid on emotions and be very clear on our objective today, which is to make sure that we boycott this store and any other store that is going to treat us in a derogatory manner and disrespectful, and extract money from the community and not put anything back in."

Mr Holmes-Lewis informed Sky News: "I went because I wanted to stand in solidarity with black women abused routinely not protected and supported in the way they should be.

"The protest was peaceable, purposeful and in search of a constructive consequence that helps the girl in query.

"[The] point of the protest was to showcase people that treat women in this way, it can't be done and we will come out in force to support them and if they continue to do this, will take our business elsewhere."

He added: "The CCTV doesn't make a difference, the man is 6ft 2in and twice the size of the lady.

"If nobody was there filming and nobody to again the girl, who is aware of what was going to occur. There are ranges of violence we aren't going to simply accept, would not warrant what he did."

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The Metropolitan Police have appealed for folks to stay calm whereas a full investigation is carried out into the incident.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, native policing commander for Southwark, mentioned: "We know people will be concerned about a video circulating online of an incident in a shop.

"Our officers attended on Monday and proceed to analyze the total circumstances of what has taken place. The investigation will embody reviewing the actions of everybody concerned.

"I would like to thank people in our local community for remaining calm and giving us the time to conduct a thorough investigation.

"If you've gotten data that will assist us I'd urge you to get in contact."