I think the only thing the OP can do is to be honest with the Entry Clearance Officer when they seek re-entry into the UK. Or perhaps try to speak to UKBA about what is likely to happen, so they can make preparations accordingly.

 

To be honest, if you steal something of that value whilst on a student visa (and thus a guest in this country) then there have to be consequences for that criminal action. Much better - in my view - to see the authorities doing due process than to have the likes of RLP dishing out their saloon bar justice.

Vauban, i will contact the UKBA maybe. but i dont understand your last paragraph. "Much better - in my view - to see the authorities doing due process than to have the likes of RLPicon dishing out their saloon bar justice.

"

could you explain it to me please?

i forgot to mention, before going back to home country, i have plan to travel to other parts of EU but now im not sure if i should still do that. although i will still check with UKBA. by the way, i need schangen visa.

Vauban, i will contact the UKBA maybe. but i dont understand your last paragraph. "Much better - in my view - to see the authorities doing due process than to have the likes of RLPicon dishing out their saloon bar justice.

"

could you explain it to me please?

I took it to mean that using RLP is wrong.

That "Civil Recovery" (in and of itself) isn't wrong.

The retailer can call the police and there is the criminal justice system (including the use of cautions)

That there is the civil justice system, and if the retailer incurs losses they can go to court, and recover those.

But that RLP isn't the retailer, and doesn't exist just to recover only the retailers actual loss, but takes its "cut", that it sometimes asks for monies it isn't entitled to (as in the Oxford case)

I took it to mean that using RLP is wrong.

 

That "Civil Recovery" (in and of itself) isn't wrong.

The retailer can call the police and there is the criminal justice system (including the use of cautions)

That there is the civil justice system, and if the retailer incurs losses they can go to court, and recover those.

 

But that RLP isn't the retailer, and doesn't exist just to recover only the retailers actual loss, but takes its "cut", that it sometimes asks for monies it isn't entitled to (as in the Oxford case)

That is exactly what I meant.

I find RLP's practices as reported on here deeply disturbing - and frankly (as a non-lawyer) am astonished they are legal. It is deeply objectionable; I'm not sure how it differs from extortion.

But - and this isnt meant as castigation of the OP especially - I have no issue with your visa being rescinded, I'm afraid. There doesn't appear, from what you post, to be any mitigating circumstances around your theft (nor do you seem especially apologetic for it). Whether that will happen I can't advise, but I think you have little option but to come clean with UKBA. If you're lucky they may judge that a caution is insufficient to nullify your visa. But I wouldn't bet on it.

That is exactly what I meant.

 

I find RLP's practices as reported on here deeply disturbing - and frankly (as a non-lawyer) am astonished they are legal. It is deeply objectionable; I'm not sure how it differs from extortion.

 

But - and this isnt meant as castigation of the OP especially - I have no issue with your visa being rescinded, I'm afraid. There doesn't appear, from what you post, to be any mitigating circumstances around your theft (nor do you seem especially apologetic for it). Whether that will happen I can't advise, but I think you have little option but to come clean with UKBA. If you're lucky they may judge that a caution is insufficient to nullify your visa. But I wouldn't bet on it.

I don't seem apologetic? How can you tell???????? I just want to at least appear calm now and trying to figure things out. I alrd made the stupidest mistake ever and ruin my life and am here struggling for help. How, you tell me. How to seem apologetic so you won't judge me? ):

I don't seem apologetic? How can you tell???????? I just want to at least appear calm now and trying to figure things out. I alrd made the stupidest mistake ever and ruin my life and am here struggling for help. How, you tell me. How to seem apologetic so you won't judge me? ):

You've asked, so (rather than to be judgmental, but) to answer your query:

You'd have seemed more apologetic if (when you had been expressing your regret, multiple times in the thread), your regret had been for stealing, rather than regretting not asking for a solicitor ...... it makes it look like you are bothered by the consequences of being caught more than if the theft was wrong or not.

Let's not drop into arguments guys. Let's deal with facts and not what should have happened or what if.

i do regret and of course im still regretting and i know im the worst person now, i really know )': i regret to the extent that i have to lock myself in my room not letting anyone know. but even if i constantly saying i regret, some people might think so what if i keep saying and some people might say no point regretiing. i have paid for this expensive lesson, a long life record )'''''''':

and no, renega, i dont think we are arguing. but fellow mates, i just need your help badly. i have not much friends here and im really scared.

and of course apart from regretting (which i cant change) i have to think of the consequencessssss. apart from not being able to live normally (i would say if for me, i will keep thinking about it, regretting and being stupid, i will keep thinking for weeks or even months and i know it because i am a negative person.)

The UK Council for International Student Affairs [http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/] say the following on their website:

"Criminal convictions, driving offences

Being convicted of a criminal offence in the UK may have serious consequences for your current immigration position. Your current permission to stay can also be curtailed in some circumstances.

You will also need to declare any criminal convictions on any future immigration application. Applications for entry clearance or further leave to remain in the UK can be refused on the basis of a person's criminal history.

Certain punishments other than a prison sentence, such as fines, police cautions and being disqualified from driving, count as non custodial sentences for immigration purposes, and can also be treated very seriously.

If you are in trouble with the police, we recommend that you seek legal advice from an immigration specialist, as well as from a criminal law solicitor, as soon as possible. It is important to establish what the consequences may be for your immigration status if, for example, you are convicted of an offence or accept a caution. If you are about to make an application to extend your immigration permission, or if you have already made an application and you are waiting for a decision, seek advice. Your International Student Adviser may be able to advise you or help you to access more specialist advice."

So depending on if you need to re-enter the UK during your studies (when your immigration status might potentially be reviewed), you might also seek out some professional legal advice (or the Citizens Advice Bureau) to see what your options are.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs [http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/] say the following on their website:

 

"Criminal convictions, driving offences

 

Being convicted of a criminal offence in the UK may have serious consequences for your current immigration position. Your current permission to stay can also be curtailed in some circumstances.

 

You will also need to declare any criminal convictions on any future immigration application. Applications for entry clearance or further leave to remain in the UK can be refused on the basis of a person's criminal history.

 

Certain punishments other than a prison sentence, such as fines, police cautions and being disqualified from driving, count as non custodial sentences for immigration purposes, and can also be treated very seriously.

 

If you are in trouble with the police, we recommend that you seek legal advice from an immigration specialist, as well as from a criminal law solicitor, as soon as possible. It is important to establish what the consequences may be for your immigration status if, for example, you are convicted of an offence or accept a caution. If you are about to make an application to extend your immigration permission, or if you have already made an application and you are waiting for a decision, seek advice. Your International Student Adviser may be able to advise you or help you to access more specialist advice."

 

So depending on if you need to re-enter the UK during your studies (when your immigration status might potentially be reviewed), you might also seek out some professional legal advice (or the Citizens Advice Bureau) to see what your options are.

hi Vauban, i have called the CAB but they say they canot give me advise and ask me to call ukba which i did.

i spoke to the officer, one says its considered as serious offence even if it s caution but says he cant advise me as it if up to the officer at the immigration. the other officer says it is a simple caution. and say he cant really guarantee me that but it is up to me also. just that he say i have to be honest when asked oor stopped by the officer at the immigration which i have always intend to. he also ask me to bring along the simple caution letter issue by the police just in case.

im also waiting to call UKCISA which is hard to get through as their line has been busy but i will continue to try tomorrow)':

can i ask for your own personal opinion? if you were me, what will you do then?)': im sorry

Why not speak to your embassy? The border agent is correct as every application is seen on its own merits. If the officer is in doubt then he refers it to his supervisor who checks the paperwork, and your statement, as well as other things, then forms a judgement on what to do.

hi hi just to update anyone who read this page, i just made a call to the uk immigration solicitor and the lady asked the lawyer and she said as long as im having valid visa, i can come back and she gave me her direct number so i can ring her if i really stopped at the imigration.

but she says if im applying to extend my visa, it is best to apply while im still in uk.

im really sorry to bother everyone due to my mistake and i really apologize. i really regret about it and i hope no one will ever face the same mistake as me as it literally ruin my entire life.

Can i ask you keep us updated when you renew, so if anyone else has a similar experience, they can look at your situation and maybe it can help them too?

and sorry you got a bashing here too.

we're not all like that on CAG

dx

Can i ask you keep us updated when you renew, so if anyone else has a similar experience, they can look at your situation and maybe it can help them too?

hi Renega,

I will keep updating here because i really want to help those who have similar situation.

and sorry you got a bashing here too.

 

 

we're not all like that on CAG

 

 

dx

bashing? oh no, i think everyone is really helpful here and im really appreciate it because each of you takes time to read and reply and help. so thank you everyone

im confused since you say you are in UK on a Schengen Visa? Schengen visa will cover most of EU but it doesn't cover UK.

It may be beneficial for your next entry into UK/ extend the visa, - to obtain a police certificate from UK

Just for reference and to add to p3t3r's post:

http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/

In post 9 of this thread, I reproduced an envelope with RLP in the franking mark.

I took it upon myself to contact the ICO regarding this and they called me today. As expected, the ICO are still as useful as I expected them to be

They said that as most people would not understand that Retail Loss Prevention are a loss recovery company involved with shoplifting so the name on the envelope would be (in their opinion) OK.

I happen to disagree. I think the next step would be a query to CAB as they know what RLP are like and whether RLP doing this would come under the new CPUT rules as being aggressive. At the same time I will ask CAB if they think the contents of the letters are also misleading.

Wait. They said people could not understand the words ' Retail Loss Prevention' to mean something to do with loss recovery?

What do they think those words mean? " Animal rescue sanctuary"?

Wait. They said people could not understand the words ' Retail Loss Prevention' to mean something to do with loss recovery?

 

What do they think those words mean? " Animal rescue sanctuary"?

You got it. Preposterous isn't it!

In post 9 of this thread, I reproduced an envelope with RLP in the franking mark.

 

I took it upon myself to contact the ICO regarding this and they called me today. As expected, the ICO are still as useful as I expected them to be

 

They said that as most people would not understand that Retail Loss Prevention are a loss recovery company involved with shoplifting so the name on the envelope would be (in their opinion) OK.

 

I happen to disagree. I think the next step would be a query to CAB as they know what RLP are like and whether RLP doing this would come under the new CPUT rules as being aggressive. At the same time I will ask CAB if they think the contents of the letters are also misleading.

I also disagree with ICO decision. The words "retail loss prevention" are self explanatory.

When I had a query with ICO, their response was that the company I was complaining about "may have broken DPA" - I replied to their response with reasons why I believe they had broken DPA and then ICO confirmed that they had. It had gone from "may have" to "have"

The words 'Retail Loss Prevention' are easy enough to understand. If not, a quick google search brings up the info.

Having contacted CAB, they replied with a fairly non committal answer but they would like to pass it on to Trading Standards BUT they want my address and RLPs address.

I am not the recipient of the letter but I am prepared to follow this through on behalf of the OP. All I need for now is the OP to allow me to.

I have posted the above on the wrong thread but I will leave it where it is as it still could be relevant

The correct thread is here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?442152-police-caution-shoplifting**SCOTLAND**&p=4701064&viewfull=1#post4701064

Once I have cleared it with the site team, I should be able to post it here (although it may be redacted in some places)