Creating Crime..

[Marcos]

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Hello all readers.. I have been suspected of doing wrong in a supermarket. There is no charge. The Security thought i was going to walk out of the shop. I did walk to the door only because there was a major disruption outside, before i had a chance i was being escorted to the back of the store, where i was talking with a Police Officer. He said they are not going to arrest me just ban me from the store, he was not interested with my story. He said we will take your picture and put me on the shame list. If i refuse he will take me to the station where i will wait for court , means i will be in the police station over the weekend. I thought i will let them take the picture then complain. As i don't really go into that area or use that store i thought what the hell, i will let my friends and family know what happened. About a week ago i received a letter in the post from a company of solicitors asking for a substantial amount of money. The title is (LETTER BEFORE CLAIM) I find it criminal as i assumed these large stores would have some type of insurance. Plus i have not been charged. Wouldn't i need to go to court first be found guilty then compensation be sought. The compensation is for loss of there time. Is this legal, where do i stand. Please help.

[Amethyst]

Re: Creating Crime..

Is the letter from a solicitors firm ( Drydens?) or from a company called RLP ( Retail Loss Prevention) ?

Have you had a read through any of the other threads on the subject - the usual advice is to completely ignore the letters ( file them away in case you need them in the future)

It would be interesting to see the letter as it is headed letter before claim, and purports to come from a solicitors. How much is a substantial amount ? ( usually it's between £80 and £350 odd)

Had they informed the police, you would not have been taken to the station and had to stay in over the weekend... [MENTION=39710]des8[/MENTION]

[Arcadian]

Re: Creating Crime..

If they did take your picture and put you on a "shame list" then they'd probably get themselves in hot water!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ds-warned.html


Was it it a real police officer? Sounds more like a security guard.
If they were not a police officer but they gave you that impression with an intent to deceive, in order to detain you (even temporarily), then they are potentially committing a criminal offence.

[des8]

Re: Creating Crime..

These stores and their security goons are getting worse!

This sounds like a DWF letter, so probably shopping at Asda or Sainsbury.
As Amethyst says ignore them.
No matter what your motive in approaching the exit, they lost nothing and incurred no quantifiable extra costs.
Security are paid regardless of whether they act or not, so what time do the cheeky blighters think they can charge for?
The only papers not to be ignored are genuine court papers, and if you get any it will be the first any of these firms have issued for some years (so unlikely you'll be favoured!)

As [MENTION=95271]Arcadian[/MENTION] suggests they are skating on thin ice.

If you feel really strongly about this you could complain to the relevant CEO, but frankly IMO its not worth it.
Just ignore them.

[Marcos]

Re: Creating Crime..

Hello , thank you so much for your response. The Company Is R.L.P, and they are willing to settle for 89.00, but i will find it will quickly go up to 300-500. I never spent any time in the station, that is why i let them take my picture, i didn't fancy staying in the cells, I just accepted the situation for that moment. I was curious why they were just rushing through the matter,now i know why.I have been worried if they could take me to court if i have no charge against me. Thank you again.

[ostell]

Re: Creating Crime..

If you look on here for RLP you will find you are not the only one they try this with. The advice is to just ignore. Nothing has been lost so there is nothing to claim. The security people were doing what they were paid for so no loss there.

The last time RLP tried court they got well and truly spanked by the judge. Search for RLP Oxford.

[Marcos]

Re: Creating Crime..

Thank you Ostell...

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Thank you.

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Thank you. The company is R.L.P. Take care.

[Marcos]

Re: Creating Crime..

He was a real police officer. The Security were extremely overzealous. Great Information.