Caught shoplifting at Boots

[Noname]

Recently, I've been caught shoplifting from Boots for an item of £38. I have no idea how that happened since I have never done that in my life so I felt extremely embarrassed but also sad and angry with myself! Securities took me to a back room and they got me sign two forms: one RLP banning letter from Boots (please see attached) and also a notice for exclusion paper for 3 months from the areas' shopping mall. They did not call the police by the way and they let me go after a picture and additional details they took from me. They told me I'll receive a letter from RLP that I need to pay (around 150£) which I will do by all means. Here are my questions below:
1) Will there be any legal consequences i.e. any criminal record or show to my credit score or any other proof so as to be in future trouble with employment screening checks etc? I work for banking and I'm quite stressed about that (no police were called)
2) The banning letter (please see attached) is it only for this specific store or for all Boots across the country?
3) They also took a picture for me and they told me to go back home and not come back to the mall for 3 months. The notice of exclusion letter states that if I come back within 3 months I will be a trespasser and I will have further fines or civil prosecution etc.
Any advice from lawyer or people experienced the same will be much appreciated as I'm really nervous and very frustrated! Looking forward to hearing back from you asap.

[ostell]

RLP and Boots can say what they like, they have absolutely no authority to issue fines. If the police weren't called then there will be no record. The last time RLP and, we think, Boots tried a claim in court they got laughed out of court.

If you go back and they recognise you then they can ask you to leave as you are trespassing. And trespassing is not criminal, they can only claim for their losses and damage done, very little.

[Noname]

Thank you so much for your reply. If I go back to any Boots across London/ UK or the specific store? Please see the letter attached.

[ostell]

I would say that letter means that specific store. Just don't aggravate them

[Noname]

So you think nothing to worry about as far as criminal record or credit score are concerned. I will apply for a UK passport as well soon so I'm extra worried.

[Noname]

Anyone else's opinion please?

[des8]

I would second ostell

Ignore RLP
You will not have a criminal record.
Your credit score is not affected
It will not affect your passport application
If you return to premises from which you have been banned, all the owner can do is ask you to leave as you are a trespasser, unless on this subsequent visit you are caught shoplifting at which point the offence is classed as burglary

[Noname]

Thank you for your answer. Do you know the amount I will have to pay? Also, any possibility for Boots/ RLP to pass my information to police and create a criminal record without me knowing that?

[ostell]

Why are you thinking of paying anything to anyone? The amount you will have to pay is £0, yep £zero.

No you cannot have a criminal record created without you knowing about it, either the police or the courts and that won't be happening.

[Noname]

I will have to pay to RLP company for sure otherwise I'll be in trouble. I'm not going to risk it for £150 probably?

[des8]

RLP have no authority to make you pay their demand for money.
They have no right to any of your money.

In case it had escaped your notice in the UK we have justice systems which are administered by the law courts.
RLP circumvent this by issuing invoices which have no standing .
they set themselves up as an alternative form of justice, which is little more than vigilantism.
When they have tried to enforce their decision through the courts they have lost as having no standing.

They will send a number of threatening letters, then give up and look for some other vulnerable victim to target.
If you pay them you are only funding their attempts to dupe others to pay.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THEM A SINGLE PENNY!

[efpom]

I do not condone shoplifting however

This is the Governments view

https://assets.publishing.service.go...s-guidance.pdf

Consumer payments and “civil recovery”

16. The Regulations amend the definition of a “transactional decision” to expressly cover demands for payment from a consumer in full or partial settlement of the consumer’s liabilities or purported liabilities to the trader (see reg 2(1A) of the 2008 Regulations). This means that misleading and aggressive practices in respect of such demands would now
clearly lead to both criminal sanctions (under the 2008 Regulations), as well as private redress (under the Regulations)

17. For example, so-called “civil recovery” where a consumer is accused of shoplifting, and is asked to pay a standard fixed fee to avoid prosecution, can fall in this category, is now clearly covered.

[Noname]

EFPOM does that mean that event can lead to criminal sanctions? I'm shit scared if there will be an impact in my criminal or any other records even if police were not involved (employment, credit etc)? Do you also guys think I need to refrain from going to the same shopping mall for at least 3 months right?

[ostell]

There are no criminal sanctions. No action has been taken by the police and therefore there cannot be a criminal record. What was being said was that the issue of a charge that hints that a criminal charge will not be brought (it can't be anyway) is illegal in itself and could lead to criminal action being taken against the people writing the letter or making the demand.

Even if you went in the mall now there can be no criminal charges against you. Trespass is not a criminal act in this country, purely a civil matter and the landholder would have to take you to court for their alleged losses ( small to nil) because you trespassed.

[des8]

NO NO NO to all questions
Stop overthinking