Shoplifted in Supermarket .... Worried I can get sacked from my job (Not Waitrose)

[Guest]

Hi,

I got caught shoplifting in a supermarket recently (Alcohol @ less than £30). I self scanned, pretended to scan and stupidly put it in my handbag and did my handbag up. Ridiculous thing was, I did it in plain sight, wasn't thinking, was having side effects from not taking medication (not trying to condone it in any way; there was no excuse) and was angry with the store for huge lack of customer regard to a problem I had.*

CCTV caught me. Got pulled by two security guards and a VERY over zealous over the top power-hungry manager who ended up shouting at me telling me "once a thief, always a thief". He seemed to throw his toys out of the pram and get extremely angry shouting "that's it I'm calling 999" after I told him to calm himself down!*

Anyway, gave my address and name. No police attended* (apparently they couldn't attend). None of my ID was asked for. Got a banning letter from all stores for life.**

Trouble is,* now worried that in the possible event of my manager finding out (I work in retail) I could be fired.

So scared. I have children a mortgage etc. Please help.*

[des8]

Please stop worrying.

No one will be informed of this incident, except perhaps some so called civil recovery firm who will write to you inviting you to pay them an exorbitant sum of money for some imagined losses. They can be ignored.
If you tell us which store we can tell you from whom to expect begging letters.

Regarding the ban... just avoid the local store for the time being.
If you are ever spotted shopping there again, as long as you are not acting criminally, all they can do is ask you to leave.
If you refuse to leave they may use sufficient force to eject you, bu that is all.

There is no way that this incident should be made known to any other party.
However do you work in a nearby store?

[Visitor4077]

Thank you for your reply. My stress level and gut wrenching anxiety are pretty high right now. Just keep worrying about losing my job.*

Yes I work very close to a branch of the supermarket but the incident took place in another branch a few miles away (waitr).*

It's certainly made me really think things over. They said they'd informed the police who'd come out to my address to talk to me. That's what I'm concerned about too... I don't want them coming to my home address. Perhaps I should go to the police station myself.

[des8]

It is just about possible the police will call round, or they will phone you about it.
If they do, refuse to discuss the incident without the attendance of a solicitor.
There is no point trying to contact the police, as you don't know to whom it may or may not have been reported (if reported at all... it could all be scare tactics which we have seen previously)

If the police do contact you, it is important that you are accompanied by a solicitor 1) so you do not incriminate yourself 2) so the police do not overstep the mark.
It is your right, and if you do not have your own solicitor request the attendance of the duty solicitor.
In this case the police will not be your friends!

As the incident took place some distance from your work, it is unlikely that any information will be leaked to your employer, either deliberately or accidentally


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