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Hello,
On Monday I received a letter from RLP titled "Letter Before Claim" requesting a "fixed contribution to all of the losses" in the sum of £147.50 for an "alleged" (as noted in their letter) Theft of Goods from a supermarket outlet in London during the early of March 2015.
Although it didn't matter to the security guard, who lied on multiple occasions (more on that if you deem it important information), I claimed it was an honest mistake made in a panic after rushing around the store in search of a personal item that I had realised I lost as I was paying at the self-service. I eventually picked up my item with that security guard moments before the alleged Theft of Goods.
I was apprehended less than two feet into the trolley area (past the last port of payment) as I was about to pack my bags. The items in question had not been packed into the storecarrier bags or my personal bag and were in the trolley fully intact. The security guard whom I had interacted with moments prior requested my receipt which I had misplaced during the panic-search I described above, asked me whether I'd paid for the items, the price of the items as well as the price of my total shop and then moved me into a room/hallway at the back of the store where there were noticeboards. En route there he stated that I was "in big trouble". Once there he continued to question me and threaten to call the police if I refused to disclose my details - he was certain I had committed theft, no doubts.
After 5-10 minutes a lady in a grey suit also came to question me and believed the security guard, lies and all. She took my details from my driving licence and retrieved a receipt from their database using the card I paid with. Another 10 minutes (approx.) of me proclaiming my innocence and relaying my story went by before another gentleman came who listened to both side of events, went through my items as the security guard searched my bag but finally told me that he was issuing a Civil Debt Recovery and mentioned something about the time limit for payment and what would occur if I did not pay within this period. I was not told of any ban. All the good were recovered by the store in apt condition for re-sale.
About half a week later I went back to the store, shopped as usual and left, noticing the security guard that I had dealt with who mumbled something as I walked out of the store - he was never a clear speaker and I repeatedly asked him to repeat what he was saying during the time he accused me of theft. Days after that, I was again shopping in the store with another person when he, alongside another security guard (security guard 2), tracked me down as we paid for the goods announcing that I was banned for all to hear at self-service. We went into the trolley area where the person I was with (I had told her about the incident on the day it happened) backed me up and we had to separate security guard 2 from the first guard as he was very loud, aggressive and not clear with his words. The person I was with asked how long the ban would last, security guard 1, in the background, said "3 months at least". Security guard 2 said "6 months to a year". After more back and forth talk we asked again for clarification when he now said it was a "life ban". We questioned that but we eventually left.
That night I went back alone to speak to them, security guard 2 was outside smoking and we had a 10 minute conversation about the happenings earlier. He told me that he and his colleague were privately employed and thus I could not complain to their company about security guard 1's conduct. Neither of them wore any badges, ID cards, etc. Security guard 2 also mentioned that if I did not pay then I could be taken to the magistrates court and charged.
I recently visited CAB but that was a fruitless endeavour and I left with a piece of paper instructing me to visit their website.
I've read through many articles on LB and attainable through search engines and other websites so am aware that the common consensus is to "just ignore" the letters from RLP. Is my case any different?
On Monday I received a letter from RLP titled "Letter Before Claim" requesting a "fixed contribution to all of the losses" in the sum of £147.50 for an "alleged" (as noted in their letter) Theft of Goods from a supermarket outlet in London during the early of March 2015.
Although it didn't matter to the security guard, who lied on multiple occasions (more on that if you deem it important information), I claimed it was an honest mistake made in a panic after rushing around the store in search of a personal item that I had realised I lost as I was paying at the self-service. I eventually picked up my item with that security guard moments before the alleged Theft of Goods.
I was apprehended less than two feet into the trolley area (past the last port of payment) as I was about to pack my bags. The items in question had not been packed into the storecarrier bags or my personal bag and were in the trolley fully intact. The security guard whom I had interacted with moments prior requested my receipt which I had misplaced during the panic-search I described above, asked me whether I'd paid for the items, the price of the items as well as the price of my total shop and then moved me into a room/hallway at the back of the store where there were noticeboards. En route there he stated that I was "in big trouble". Once there he continued to question me and threaten to call the police if I refused to disclose my details - he was certain I had committed theft, no doubts.
After 5-10 minutes a lady in a grey suit also came to question me and believed the security guard, lies and all. She took my details from my driving licence and retrieved a receipt from their database using the card I paid with. Another 10 minutes (approx.) of me proclaiming my innocence and relaying my story went by before another gentleman came who listened to both side of events, went through my items as the security guard searched my bag but finally told me that he was issuing a Civil Debt Recovery and mentioned something about the time limit for payment and what would occur if I did not pay within this period. I was not told of any ban. All the good were recovered by the store in apt condition for re-sale.
About half a week later I went back to the store, shopped as usual and left, noticing the security guard that I had dealt with who mumbled something as I walked out of the store - he was never a clear speaker and I repeatedly asked him to repeat what he was saying during the time he accused me of theft. Days after that, I was again shopping in the store with another person when he, alongside another security guard (security guard 2), tracked me down as we paid for the goods announcing that I was banned for all to hear at self-service. We went into the trolley area where the person I was with (I had told her about the incident on the day it happened) backed me up and we had to separate security guard 2 from the first guard as he was very loud, aggressive and not clear with his words. The person I was with asked how long the ban would last, security guard 1, in the background, said "3 months at least". Security guard 2 said "6 months to a year". After more back and forth talk we asked again for clarification when he now said it was a "life ban". We questioned that but we eventually left.
That night I went back alone to speak to them, security guard 2 was outside smoking and we had a 10 minute conversation about the happenings earlier. He told me that he and his colleague were privately employed and thus I could not complain to their company about security guard 1's conduct. Neither of them wore any badges, ID cards, etc. Security guard 2 also mentioned that if I did not pay then I could be taken to the magistrates court and charged.
I recently visited CAB but that was a fruitless endeavour and I left with a piece of paper instructing me to visit their website.
I've read through many articles on LB and attainable through search engines and other websites so am aware that the common consensus is to "just ignore" the letters from RLP. Is my case any different?
xx
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