Asda

[Fullofregret]

It is with regret that I was involved in an incident at Asda about a month ago. As I was leaving, the alarm activated. I continued walking and the security lady came behind me and asked to look in my bag. I refused and she wrestled my hand bag from me, and called me a sad git (which is actually spot on, I’m better than this) anyway I continued to my husbands car, got in and left. She didn’t per-sue me after she had got my bag.

Upon examination the bag would prove to contain goods with a value of less than £100.

My real problem is that the bag also contained my husband’s wallet with his driving license and credit cards. It is an expensive Armani wallet. Also in my bag is my house and spare car keys.

I thought I would get them back when the Police came but they haven’t. I have received a dwf letter asking for £150.

To help retrieve my husband’s items, I went back to the store to face the music. Security said your barred get out, and told me to phone the company that sent the letter asking for the money and that they or the Police will sort it out.

can anyone shed any light and advise me what to do, the worry and regret has been making me feel ill for nearly a month now. My solicitor (who is not too good) said it will take the Police a long time to make all the enquiries. The bag also had my medical card in it which I assume is how they identified me.

[echat11]

Hi FULLOFREGRET

Regardless of what's happened, the consensus is that any demands of payment (speculative invoices) should be ignored.

What you need to do is write a letter, explain that security failed to hand back your personal property as it was being searched, explain that your belongings contain your Medical Card, explain that you need to pick up your medicines as you are running very low on medicines but you can't collect your medicines without your Medical Card (you could explain your conditions, you could attach a Doctors Letter if you want etc). Explain that you went to the store to collect your Medical Card and possessions but were told you couldn't have them.

Explain that you have made various people aware that Asda won't return your Medical Card and can't collect your medicines.

So if they don't hand back your Medical Card and other belongings (list the items) within 48 hours further action will be taken against Asda.

Print off the letter hand it into the store, but also email a copy to Customer Services - customer.services@asda.co.uk

[MIKE770]

Withholding personal belonging of a customer & 3rd Parties! refusing to return items belonging to the said person, (is theft in its self by over zealous security staff.) Needs A formal complaint to ASDA via that email regarding language used by security staff and the retaining of personal wallet and sundry items belonging to a person not in question(your Husband), withholding medical cards (belongs to government department NHS etc), (that is criminal aggravated action? get your husband to go there and demand to see manager and demand his personal items and your hand bag back forthwith, failure of which the items will be reported to the crime (police)., sure others will respond.,

[paulajayne]

Go back to the store and speak to manager requesting the return of you bag and its contents.

Simple easy and less hassle.

[echat11]

Go back to the store and speak to manager requesting the return of you bag and its contents.

Simple easy and less hassle.

That is the problem, the OP can't get into the store to speak to the manager, that's why a letter (a bit like a 'Trojan Horse') needs to be handed in to breach the 'over zealous' security personnel.

[Fullofregret]

Hi everyone

hope I’m doing this correctly, mostly to thank everyone for the help and advice.

As someone pointed out, getting into the store seems to be a problem.

The advise I would welcome, is, should I now consider the incident closed or if I want it to be closed, do I need to approach the Police. Does it actually take them months to investigate a low level shoplifting incident that is A/on cctv and B/identification was left in my bag. Is this thing likely to bite me on the behind or not.

[islandgirl]

Yes it could take months. Whether they will bother is another matter.