Have to attend police interview for shoplifting

[Guest]

Hi, other other week I was stupid and forgot to pay for an item one of my family members left with my child holding the item, they thought I had payed for it and was stopped at the door. we didn’t leave together so she was unaware I explained it was my fault, and the family member shouldn’t have to attend the interview, as it’s it is a genuine mistake. However the police was called and we both have to attend an interview next week, in regards to it I’m just panicking like mad what the outcome will be. They took all my other shopping from the other stores, as some stores I payed cash, and couldn’t show the receipt as it gives you the option to have one or not. They even took my jacket I was wearing and said it might also be stolen which I thought was very over the top.
Today I have received a letter from a company called RLP demanding loss costs of £308 for us both even thought the item was a value of £40 so not sure where that has come from and I don’t have the money to pay that. do I have to pay it? I’m really worried I will be arrested. I have a solicitor ready for the interview I haven’t spoken to them yet but just can’t sleep over the matter I don’t have any criminal record not even a speeding fine or anything what would the likely outcome be of this interview? Any advice is appreciated

[DE DOGS]

I stand to be corrected but, unless you are asked/requested to attend the Police Station to answer this if it was me I will not participate, as for RLP, they are trying it on, until or if they do not pay them anything, the only way they can make you pay is by going to Court and obtaining judgement, plenty of threats buy wait and see. That is just my thoughts.

[PallasAthena]

Can you clarify exactly what has happened regarding this: "..the police was called and we both have to attend an interview next week...".

1. Which shop was it?

2. Was it the security person/manager in the shop who called the police? Did you hear the conversation they had with the police?

3. Did the police attend at the shop?

4. You said "They took all my other shopping from the other stores, as some stores... ". Who is "They", who took your other shopping?

4. Have the police themselves contacted you directly to invite you to attend an interview? How did they contact you, by letter?

Ignore RLP. They are powerless. Read other threads about them on here. They will keep writing threatening letters for a while but eventually they stop and go away. RLP cannot give you a criminal record or prosecute you for a crime.

You have a solicitor and they are much better able to advise you than we are on whether you could end up with a criminal record but personally I would be very surprised if you did.

And ask your solicitor to request the return of your property that was taken away from you.