Hi.

I'm a 17 year old girl who was caught stealing today at Primark.

First of all, I know what I did was wrong and I deserve some kind of consequence for it. But I really need advice on my situation.

I took 3 clothing items and a bunch of cosmetic items which I did not intend to pay for from PRIMARK this afternoon.

Stealing is not something I would do normally, but I'm at a difficult point in my life where I've been cheated by many people and I have lost a lot of my hard-earned money unfairly. (This has no relevance to my current dilemma, so I won't go into further detail).

I decided I wasn't going to just allow myself to be cheated by these greedy companies. I view retail corporations as one. I see no difference between these stores as I believe neither of them care about consumers..all they are interested in is getting as much profit. Therefore, I sought to recover my money that stores have unfairly cheated from me, from a big store like Primark.

Long story short, I walked out of the store with a total of £47 worth of items in my bag which I didn't pay for. However, I did buy a few things from Primark, which shows that I wasn't just stealing the other items for the sake of it. My motive was really to recover money I've been cheated from in the past.

Within 10 seconds of leaving, 2 security guards came after me and escorted me into their office. They recovered all the goods I had taken- none of them had suffered damage: they were all intact and in perfect condition.

They took my name down and age etc. I gave them my old address and postcode because if my mom found out, she would go ballistic and wouldn't understand.

They then called the Police who came and took down all these details.

The Police told me because it was my first offence, I would not get a criminal record. However they gave me an official warning/caution and called it a "community resolution order". They said it won't affect me unless I want to apply for jobs which involve me working with vulnerable adults or children.

Lastly, I was told I would receive a letter which would contain details of a "fine" that I would have to pay to Primark. Some people are saying it could range from £300-£400.

Since I gave them my old address, I won't see the letter unless I go to my old house and ask the current occupiers for it. To be frank, I don't think I will be doing so because I don't have 400 pounds to dish out to a company like Primark who is already stinkingly rich by unethical means.

I just have a few questions which I really need someone to help me answer

1. If I don't pay the fine, will a court proceeding be made against me? They told me that if the letters are ignored, police will apparently be knocking on my door..also they will take legal action to prosecute me.

2. If I don't pay the fine, will it ruin my credit score ? I'm scared that it will affect me later on in life if it will be recorded as debt.

3. Will this record of a community resolution order actually be visible to employers when they do a CRB check?

4. If this record will be visible, does it get cleared eventually after a while ? I'm turning 18 in about 3 months ..will this record still remain visible even after I'm 18?

5. Will this minor occurrence mean that employers have a right to reject me on the basis of dishonesty? I've heard that there is a list which RLP makes and sends to companies..

6. Will they be calling the phone number I gave to the police about the fine if it's not paid?

My mother is my only parent and she is currently not in the country..so I gave them my older brothers number but told them it was my moms. I haven't told him and I don't think I want to unless there's a chance that they may give him a call.

7. If I don't pay and I want to travel abroad, will the border agencies be able to restrict my travel because of the fine?

I'd appreciate any contribution to assist me right now.

I have never been in this situation and I don't know what to do.

Hi and welcome to CAG. I have moved you from the welcome forum to the Retail loss prevention forum where you will get more help.

Firstly. the police have dealt with you so their involvement is at an end. The security staff lied!

As you have given a false address (did you do the same to the police), as you say, all letters will go there unless they can trace you.

RLP can do nothing to you apart from send begging letters. If you do get any, don't respond and come here.

Please read around this forum and especially the stickies at the top. That will give you far more info than I ever could

Did you give the Police your correct full name, date of birth and address ?

Did they actually hand you a written caution or told you one would be sent to you ? Not convinced, you have been given an official warning, unless it was in writing or would be sent in writing. Otherwise it may just be the shop security and Police trying to create fear.

The fine Primark are in about, is one of the private resolution companies asking you to pay an amount they think is reasonable to cover their security costs in dealing with such incidents. If you did not pay, i doubt much would happen.

read these threads

you'll soon get the idea

https://cse.google.co.uk/cse?cx=partner-pub-0964707606882478:652l7hswbgv&ie=UTF-8&q=primark&sa=Search+CAG#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=primark&gsc.page=1

I have been having a think on this so my comments will appear in red.

1. If I don't pay the fine, will a court proceeding be made against me? They told me that if the letters are ignored, police will apparently be knocking on my door..also they will take legal action to prosecute me.

 

Highly unlikely any court action will follow on from this. Who told you the police would come knocking? I bet it was the security staff. NO police will knock for this 'civil' complaint. this was said purely to scare you more. IT IS NOT A FINE, it is a claim for compensation. Totally different.

 

2. If I don't pay the fine, will it ruin my credit score ? I'm scared that it will affect me later on in life if it will be recorded as debt.

 

Not a fine. The only way it could have any effect on your credit score is if Primark decided to take you to court. This is also unlikely as they forget about you as soon as you have been dealt with.

In the unlikely event they did sue, you would have your chance to defend it and if you lost and didn't pay the judgement within 28 days, then and only then would it be recorded on your credit file.

 

3. Will this record of a community resolution order actually be visible to employers when they do a CRB check?

 

Dependant on the job you are applying for, the chief constable has to make a decision as to whether he/she discloses or not. If you are applying for a job that requires an enhanced DBS check, this may be included. Personally, I would offer the information up to potential employers as they may disregard this event and give you extra credit for being honest. That is up to you of course.

 

4. If this record will be visible, does it get cleared eventually after a while ? I'm turning 18 in about 3 months ..will this record still remain visible even after I'm 18?

 

Unfortunately yes.

 

5. Will this minor occurrence mean that employers have a right to reject me on the basis of dishonesty? I've heard that there is a list which RLP makes and sends to companies..

 

This list you have heard about does not get sent to any employer. RLP do keep a database but they cannot release any information without your express permission

 

6. Will they be calling the phone number I gave to the police about the fine if it's not paid?

My mother is my only parent and she is currently not in the country..so I gave them my older brothers number but told them it was my moms. I haven't told him and I don't think I want to unless there's a chance that they may give him a call.

 

There is a chance that RLP will call that number if you gave the security staff the number or if the police gave them these details so talk to your brother.

 

I do have to say, if you gave false details to the police, if they investigate further, this could come back and bite you

 

7. If I don't pay and I want to travel abroad, will the border agencies be able to restrict my travel because of the fine?

 

No. Some overseas visitors have shoplifted and when it came to getting a visa, they had no problem On the assumption you are a British Citizen then there should be no problem. I cannot be certain however if you want to visit a country where you may need a visa (the USA comes to mind)

You have made a rod for your own back by giving fake details. I wouldn't like to say what you should do as that is not my place.

on point 7 iof you were arrested and released you will have to mention this on a visa application for travel to the US. Theywill then decide what they want to do. In reality you are likely to be allowed to travel there for any arrest other than for drugs offences that did not result in a prosecution. They are funny that way.

What would RLP do with CCTV footage??

What would RLP do with CCTV footage??

they don't have it.

please start a new thread

of your own

dx