Primark Theft

[Idiot1003]

Hi, I was stopped & caught by a Primark security guard Fri 6th Sept. I blatantly put stuff in my bag not 5ft away. I have mental issues, (ex stage 3cancer patient) & also lots of very very stressful family issues, which I'm having to manage on my own. I understand the security officer has a job to do. I felt totally intimidated, & he made out I was being totally hostile. He called the police & kept me detained for 2.5 hrs while waiting for police to attend & continually contacting them for update & how hostile I was. This is not true. I wanted to get caught as I didn't want to face or do what was immediate in my life. I volunteered to go to police station for interview & got a community order? Luckily I had a very understanding officer, whom exclaimed he had been thinking about my theft before he came on duty, as I did have the money to pay. I just lost myself. He asked me to write letter of apology to store & I'm wondering if this is obligatory? I still feel very violated by the security officer & traumatised & at the same time understand his job. Please can you advise on letter & fine? Thank you

[ostell]

Who us issuing the fine?

[des8]

Community order from a court or community resolution order from the police?

[Idiot1003]

Primark the fine & yes sorry it was a community resolution order from the police.

[ostell]

Primark cannot issue a fine, they have no authority

[des8]

So it is not a fine.
In the UK only the courts levy fines.
What you will receive is a letter from an outfit called Retail Loss Prevention (RLP), asking you to pay probably about £150.
This is just an invoice, and should be ignored as should the follow up letters they will send
These letters are written in legal type language and are designed to scare you into paying their demands , which have no basis in law.
They will threaten court action, but it never happens as they lost their last case some seven years ago.

Come back here if you need reassurance

[Idiot1003]

Thank you, really appreciate your advice. Can I just ask about the letter? Should I just send it & be done with it? Thank you both again.

[des8]

If you are referring to the letter of apology, yes, just write and get it over with.
It is part of the community Resolution Order

[Idiot1003]

Thank you DES8.