Shoplifting help

[des8]

Thank you, do you think it’s likely that the police will be involved?

NO, IMO it is most unlikely for all the reasons already given, and I cannot recall a single case on LB where police have been called after the event following a search of CCTV

[Porter29]

Thank you, I know I deserve for them to show up but I am so so scared, I can’t stop shaking. If they know that I didn’t pay for the items why would they not have called the police there and then? I can’t have the police arrive at my door, I am a grown woman who should know better - this will never ever happen again because I know that it is not worth it.

[des8]

No loss? She's been robbing that place blind week after week for god knows how long, and you say there is no loss.

And it's amazing how many thieves are ever so sorry, tearful and remorseful - but only after they have been caught, never before. Funny that.

Theft is a crime and thieves are criminals, but apparently it's okay to say "there, there, never mind. Nothing to worry about as there will be no repercussions to be being a thief because nobody has lost anything"

SMH

As I said on an other thread, in this forum we are not judgemental and we attempt to help and reassure those who come for help.

Regarding the "no loss" assertion, if you read the background to dealing with civil recovery companies you will see that they claim payment for losses which have not occurred.
I refer you to the "Oxford case" where two admitted shoplifters were found not to have caused the retailer loss as they had been apprehended and goods recovered, and the civil recovery claim for other imagined losses (eg staff time for dealing with the incident) were thrown out and the company castigated by the judge.

We do not condone theft, but even thieves have the right to fair treatment and assistance.
To deny them that is to open the door to civil recovery companies who act like vigilantes as if they have the right to levy "fines" dressed as costs.
They in my view are more despicable than thieves as they hide behind a false veneer of legality. and use the threat of possible court and/or police action to make the often vulnerable pay their extortionate demands.

[Porter29]

How long does it normally take for these letters to come through? And if you receive a letter does that mean there will be no police involvement?

[des8]

First letter normally received between 4 & 6 weeks and they continue for a few months.

The letters are indicative of nothing at all except their desire to take your money

[Porter29]

A long hard wait then. And any idea how long it would take for police to get involved? And would they show up at your house or send a letter asking you to come to them?

[des8]

The retailer didn't call the police at the time so are very unlikely to do so now.
The police are so unlikely to be involved you really need to stop worrying about them turning up at your door.

You were caught so the store lost nothing, and they did not mention the police, so won't be calling them now

[Porter29]

I know but this isn’t the first time I have taken stuff, so if they know I go there on a regular day could they not look back and see then call the police in? This is killing me, I know I deserve it.

[des8]

It is extremely remote that they would search through hours and hours of cctv just to see if you had taken items at sometime in the past.
It is just too costly an exercise.
Most CCTV footage is only retained for a maximum of a month anyway.

[Porter29]

I truly appreciate your replies xx I just hope you are right

[ostell]

In all the similar incidents reported on here, and there are a lot!, I don't believe that there has been one case of the police appearing afterwards.