RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

[Ames]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

I was in the room for over a hour with a camera pointing at us both. They said we had been caught on camera so we both admited to what we had done. I had took the sticker of another shoe but she was the one who took the sticker of the shoe she baught and put another sticker on top and then paid for it.

[MissFM]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

I was in the room for over a hour with a camera pointing at us both. They said we had been caught on camera so we both admited to what we had done. I had took the sticker of another shoe but she was the one who took the sticker of the shoe she baught and put another sticker on top and then paid for it.

Have you asked for the video footage Ames? You should.

[Ames]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

Have you asked for the video footage Ames? You should.

I don't know should I?
I'm just scared of getting into more trouble haha.

[des8]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

What trouble?
At worst you were part of an unsuccessful conspiracy to defraud Primark of £6! (hardly the great Train robbery)

RLP will blow this up to scare the pants off you in an attempt to get money from you.

As MissFM suggests, request in writing (sent signed for and keep receipt) copies of any CCTV they have of your behaviour in store and whilst you were detained in their room. They'll probably say you weren't filmed whilst detained!

[bluebottle]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

But, BB, say you are a security guard and you spot someone either shoplifting or switching labels - what do you do? It seems (to me) that there is nothing lawful you can do?

The best policy is to remain calm and be discreet in your approach and challenging of suspected shoplifters/label switchers. Legally, retail security cannot force a person they suspect of shoplifting to go to any room and they cannot take them there by use of physical force. They are not permitted to use any form of mechanical restraint, e.g. handcuffs, or baton, or spray, e.g. capsicum spray as used by police.

You can detain someone who is reasonably suspected of shoplifting, but the police must be called immediately. If a retailer detains someone against their will without calling the police, the detention may well be deemed unlawful.

Retail security cannot and must not search a suspected shoplifter's bags, clothing or person under any circumstances. If they do, they open themselves up to allegations of Battery, Criminal Damage and Theft, as well as being accused of placing items in bags or clothing. There is no Common Law right of search accorded to anyone other than police officers and, then, only under judicial order or warrant.

A person suspected of shoplifting is under no obligation to provide retail security with their name and address and retail security have no legal power or right to demand these details. They also have no power or authority to take photos of suspected shoplifters.

If a person suspected of shoplifting is on essential medication and retail security prevent them from taking it, this may well amount to an offence under health and safety legislation.

[bluebottle]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

I was in the room for over a hour with a camera pointing at us both. They said we had been caught on camera so we both admited to what we had done. I had took the sticker of another shoe but she was the one who took the sticker of the shoe she baught and put another sticker on top and then paid for it.

I would ask for the footage. If you were tricked into admitting something, such admission would be inadmissible as evidence.

[MissFM]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

Ames, you have nothing to worry about. Yes, you did something silly but that's it. They have no lawful right to pursue you or your friend at all - so go rest and put it down to experience (ie please don't do it again!)

As said, any repercussions, just post here and we will help you sort it. Don't worry any more, please!

[Ames]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

If a person suspected of shoplifting is on essential medication and retail security prevent them from taking it, this may well amount to an offence under health and safety legislation.

really? I told them I needed to go home to take my medication for diabetes and they said I had to wait for the police to confirm my address?

[Johnboy007]

Re: RLP Civil Recovery & Abuse. Police?

To the OP:

I don't think you have anything to worry about, except threatening letters, in which case do post up here for further guidance.

I agree with enquirer that you would really be tempting fate to take pre-emptive action against those that apprehended you - but, though dishonest, what you did really wasn't that awful and no-one died - and nothing justifies the way you were treated from what you've described above.

To other fellow beagles:

We all know that two wrongs don't make a right (foregone!).

What concerns me about this and other similar cris de coeurs on here are the actions of the enforcers - I can't imagine that they are acting maliciously, so they must believe they have the power to act as they do, which does appear to be totally unacceptable. Is this a lack off training? Or what?:decision:

How should they handle such things lawfully and effectively?:noidea:

Like they did in my younger days,
A hearty kick up the backside or cuff around the head.
Worked wonders, I can vouch for that.