Hi,

I made the biggest mistake of my life and I'm not proud of what I have done.

I'm under 16 and was caught shoplifting from Superdrug today.

The two products were worth about £13.

As I was walking out of the store with a friend, a security guard, who wasn't in uniform,

stopped us and asked us to go into the back room.

We went with him and was told to empty out our handbags.

Both of the items were returned and my friend was let go but I had to stay.

This was the first time I had ever shoplifted and been caught,

also I had never been involved with the police before.

The security guard took my details, called in a psco and notified my parents.

He mentioned that was banned from all superdrug stores,

when will it be safe to go into a superdrug store but not the one it happened in?

When my dad arrived, the psco made me sign his notes and that was it, i was let go.

I've been reading a couple of threads on here and a lot of of people received a letter from RLP

saying to pay a fine,

will I receive one of these letter?

If I do should I pay it?

I don't intend on doing it ever again, I'm just really worried about what's going to happen next.

Thanks for any help.

Hi and welcome to CAG.

Lesson learned I hope so we need not go there.

Did the shop give you a leaflet about civil recovery? The reason I ask is that some stores do not use civil recovery so you may be OK on that ground,. It's a case of wait and see.

I wouldn't go back into a Superdrug for about 6 months and certainly not THE store for a lot longer.

If you do receive anything from RLP (or even DWF) come back here and get some reassurance.

Lesson definitely learnt.

No I didn't get any leaflets or any paperwork.

He did say it was was a ban for life so I'm just wondering whether it really is for life or a certain amount of time?

Thanks for your help again.

I have seen that Superdrug do use RLP (on another thread) so I would expect something in the post within the next two or three weeks. As your parents are aware of your action, you can show them the RLP forums and what we would do in your circumstances.

In the majority of cases, the store staff have forgotten about you shortly after you have been escorted out. Remember, a store can ban anyone they like. It is private property and anyone going in is allowed to do so but that permission can be removed for anyone.

All I suggest you do for now is read as many different threads on what RLP can do (nothing) and what their pet debt collector can do (even less). The letters need to be read at least 3 times so that you understand what they are saying, not what you think they are saying. RLP are good with words.

This case is CIVIL and not criminal. You have been dealt with by the plastic bobby (PCSO) so no more action there. RLP cannot take court action against you. ONLY the store can but they don't bother as it isn't worth their time.

Sooo. try to relax and put this episode down to a learning experience and ignore the fools at RLP.

Thank you so much for your help.

I have another quick question.

The security guard asked what school I went to, I refused to tell him as I thought it was useless information, so that the police could email my school. The psco didn't ask even though the security guard said he would. Is it possible for them to find out what school I go to and for the police to email them?

No> Stop worrying. The second you walk out that door you are forgotten about. LEarn your lesson, ignore any crap RLP may send ( its not a fine) , and get on with your life. They cant do anything anyway since you are under 18. Just take a deep breath and move on. And find an alternative to superdrug. Its a terrible shop anyway

Nope. Under the Data Protection Act, the police cannot pass this data on and as the police didn't ask, there is nothing to pass on anyway.

If, by chance they did get your school, you could have them for breaching your data which is a damn sight more serious.

This is a private matter between you, your parents and the shop. (we can discuss RLP writing at a later date) If they went to your school, it will be seen as a malicious attempt to embarrass you.

Will try to move on and forget about it, thank you for your help

All good advice from Silverfox. RLP are parasites who try to claim around £125 for "investigation" of the crime. They are toothless and even less likely to take anyone to court after that judgment in 2012. Put it behind you and don't do anything silly like that again.

Agree with all the above :

1) RLP can do nothing, ignore them

2) Your parents are already aware (probably your greatest problem at the moment!) so any RLP threats to involve them are toothless

3) you are taking responsibility by looking into this : use this to help reassure your parents you are learning from your mistake

4) it was unlikely you'd get prosecuted : but it was a possibility.

If they had taken the (rare) step of prosecution it wouldn't have been the end of your life but could have made things more difficult for you : barring access to some educational opportunities until a conviction was spent, for example, or making it more likely someone else gets a job when you are both applying for it.

Do you really want to take that chance again?

A PCSO making you sign paperwork is out of order

A PCSO making you sign paperwork is out of order

Why? If you don't want to sign, don't sign.

Then a PC will pitch up and might well offer you a FPN or court .....

Why? If you don't want to sign, don't sign.

Then a PC will pitch up and might well offer you a FPN or court .....

And signing under duress, forced signing without an appropriate adult, signing with no access to legal representation

And signing under duress, forced signing without an appropriate adult, signing with no access to legal representation

When my dad arrived, the psco made me sign his notes and that was it, i was let go.

think you may have missed this bit.