Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

You would be better posting it on this thread Pink Ranger.

[thepinkranger]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Will a copy of the RLP leaflet the security officer gave me help? I can PM you for a photo of it if you want.

[teaboy2]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Isn't it possible that he did this so that the witness is completely independent and has no relations between neither me or the security officer? She told me that she was asked to be a witness because she was the first person the officer saw, not because they have history together

No because they are both representative of boots so their is a relation their. The witness is there for the guards benefit and boots benefit, not yours. Other that to make sure the guard doesn't act inappropriately towards you.

Sorry to be a spoilsport but there wasn't any password lock on the inside - it was just on the outside it would have been possible for me to open the door from the inside.

Doesn't matter, they still searched you bag unlawfully among other things.

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Sorry to be a spoilsport but there wasn't any password lock on the inside - it was just on the outside it would have been possible for me to open the door from the inside.

Makes no difference. I have come across cases where alleged shoplifters have been locked in rooms and cupboards by retail security and magistrates and judges have thrown the case out. As stated previously, retailers think they can dispense justice themselves. The fact is, they cannot and it is futile them trying to kid the public they can. Using the likes of RLP is not going to distance them from what RLP get up to as the legal instrument of agency holds a retailer vicariously-liable for RLP's actions at all times.

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Isn't it possible that he did this so that the witness is completely independent and has no relations between neither me or the security officer? She told me that she was asked to be a witness because she was the first person the officer saw, not because they have history together

That makes no difference. She is not an independent witness as far as any alleged case against you is concerned. However, she is, however, an independent witness of the security officer's unlawful actions against you, should your parents choose to take Boots to court.

[teaboy2]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Ok, but what about owning up in front of the police? Is that a different story?

Whether you owned up to the police or not is irrelevant, as you admitted the offence to them only but not any liability for the retailers cost.

Its the costs the retailer and RLP are trying to claim your liable for, but the fact is, the cost of wages for the witness and security guard would have still needed to have been paid regardless of whether you committed the offense or not, as its an everyday business cost. Unless the law has suddenly changed and retailers now only have to pay staff wages for when someone has been caught shoplifting and the time it takes to processes that person. Same for CCTV, its a standard operational cost. They will even claim that because a member of staff was taken of the shop floor they lost out on sales, but they would have to proof that they had lost on on sales, which is impossible to prove.

Basically the security gaurd and witness would have still been paid their hourly wage, even if you had never been in to boots that day. and the CCTV would still be using the same amount of electricity as it was before you put the item in your bag - Unless, off course the CCTV suddenly goes into a drug infuelled super monitoring frenzy, sucking up electricity at the same rate every second that the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz produces every second!!

[thepinkranger]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

If the witness had to enter a password to unlock the door from the inside. Then that means you would not have been unable to leave the room as you would not have known the password to unlock the door.

Sorry to be a spoilsport but there wasn't any password lock on the inside - it was just on the outside it would have been possible for me to open the door from the inside.

[thepinkranger]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

An employee of Boots would not be classed as an Appropriate Adult for legal purposes.

Isn't it possible that he did this so that the witness is completely independent and has no relations between neither me or the security officer? She told me that she was asked to be a witness because she was the first person the officer saw, not because they have history together

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Ok, but what about owning up in front of the police? Is that a different story?

Being a former policeman, I can tell you that police officers are subject to the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (as amended). Any admission obtained under coercion, duress or undue influence would be inadmissible as evidence in a court of law.

[thepinkranger]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

By the way, sorry for asking too many questions. I'm like that when I worry and panic (although I'm trying not to) so bear with me

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

The witness was an adult over 18 though

The rules applicable to Appropriate Adults are pretty strict. You are under no obligation, legal or otherwise, to even speak to retail security. An employee of Boots would not be classed as an Appropriate Adult for legal purposes.

[thepinkranger]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

But regardless of your admitting to it in the store, such admission was made under duress (panicked, intimidated and stressed as a result).

Ok, but what about owning up in front of the police? Is that a different story?

[teaboy2]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Although the room was locked from the outside, I think it was possible to open the door from the inside because when another shop worker knocked on the door of the security officer, the witness managed to open the door herself (this happened while the security guard was out of the room so it was just me and the female witness in the room.) and the lock used was one of those security password locks

If the witness had to enter a password to unlock the door from the inside. Then that means you would not have been unable to leave the room as you would not have known the password to unlock the door. This amounts to unlawful imprisonment - Does it not BlueBottle?!

Though if you only needed to turn a latch to unlock the door from the inside, then that's not unlawful imprisonment.

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Don't forget its illegal to search and question a minor with the presence of and adult or legal guardian. Regardless of whether they have a witness in the room or not!! Requirement of the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (as amended). The "Appropriate Adult" provisions apply in the case of persons below the age of 18 years.

I knew it would only be a matter of time before you got your teeth out and took a bite at this thread mate lol Chomp.

the pink ranger your in good hands with BlueBottle when it comes dealing with RLP - Especially since he is a former law man and had the badge to go with it (think the wild west). Yee-hah!

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[thepinkranger]

Re: Letter from RLP after caught shoplifting from Boots

Don't forget its illegal to search and question a minor with the presence of and adult or legal guardian. Regardless of whether they have a witness in the room or not!!

The witness was an adult over 18 though