Security guard kicks out woman from shopping centre for ‘illegal’ exposure of her midriff

There’s no law to stop someone from wearing a crop top, but this shopping centre security guard seemed to think there was.

A Queensland shopper was allegedly forced to leave a shopping centre by a guard who didn’t approve of her outfit, causing the store to apologise for the incident.

When 20 year-old Madison Green went to Dalby Shoppingworld to buy groceries for her grandmother, she was stopped by a female security guard who disapproved of the crop top she was wearing.

“I can see your stomach,” the guard said.

The security guard said Madison Green could be banned from the shopping centre over her outfit. Picture: Nine

Ms Green showing off the crop top she was wearing that was deemed unacceptable. Picture: Nine

“How come there’s a store in here that sells clothing like this, but I can’t wear it in here?” Ms Green asked.

The guard replied she needed to wear something that covered her whole stomach, saying “that’s the law” when asked why by another man.

Ms Green then pointed out there was another woman in a similar top in the store, to which she claimed the guard said “I saw you first” before calling her a smart a**e and demanding that she leave.

The guard then followed her in and out of the Woolworths supermarket.

“Leave me alone, stop following me!” Ms Green called out.

“That’s my job,” the guard said and kept following.

Ms Green later told 9 News that she could be banned from the centre over her outfit.

“I have asked you to get out, get out,” the guard shouted.

The incident occurred at Dalby Shoppingworld. Picture: McConaghy Group

Many dress codes at work do not permit an exposed belly, but there is no law forbidding one from wearing clothing items such as crop tops in public spaces.

“It was quite intimidating,” Ms Green told 9 News.

She said she later complained to the centre’s management about the incident.

“I was getting more and more annoyed … I’m a woman, and I know for a fact I’m allowed to wear these things. It’s 2024 – I don’t see any issue with it whatsoever,” she said.

On Thursday, Dalby Shoppingworld sent a statement to Nine that confirmed Ms Green was not breaking any of the centre’s rules and it had since apologised to her.

“This particular security officer won’t be assigned to Dalby Shoppingworld in future,” they added.

The centre apologised to Ms Green. Picture: McConaghy Group

The centre has also requested the guard’s associated security company “review their procedures to make sure their staff have appropriate training”.

The shopping centre was previously in the news when a 23-year-old mother headbutted another woman she’d had a previous road rage dispute with, causing a fight in the middle of the centre.