So this is my situation...

I was 21 and was visiting London for vacation back in few years ago (2015) ,I shoplifted in a Primark store, and I'm from Hong Kong. It was an item valued at around 12 pounds...And I did paid for other items at the cashier.

I was followed and got caught by a security guard after leaving the store, and went back with the security to a room at the back of the store. They took the item back and I was scared and crying...AND was asked to sign a form(name, address, email), I was worried so I wrote down the wrong address and email which they cannot contact me and my parents wouldn't know it. They also photocopied my passport.

Police was not called, and the security escorted me to leave the store via the exit at the back and told me that I cant go back to the store in the future.

So there are some questions I've been worrying these days.

1. As I saw other posts on the forum, RLP will send letters for "fines", but in my situation, it is not possible for them to contact me because I left the wrong contact info. But will they still do this if I did left my correct address since I live in HK?

2. Will I have a criminal record because of this incident even the police was not involved? (Will they pass the case to the UK police since they can't get the fines from me)

3. I'll need to travel around because of my new job(including UK), will the immigration officers have the record and stop me/arrest me at the UK airport immigration if I'm going back to UK in the near future?

Thank you so much! I've been so worrying about this, and I know wouldn't do this silly thing again in my life!

Nothing will ever happen if police weren't involved . Rlp have absolutely nothing to do with the UK legal system. They're just a small private company that relies on people's lack of knowledge to get money from them

Thank you, the guy also told me that they will have to call the police if I cannot provide my passport. So that means they will bring the issue to police/court if I cannot provide my passport?

Hello and welcome to CAG.

These people are private security guards, not the police and as it was 3 years ago I doubt if anyone will remember. As long as you don't shoplift or break the law here, you should be fine.

Best, HB

Thanks! So is that true that the immigration will not know this incident since no police were involved at the time? Sorry for being annoying, I'm just worrying I will lost my job because of this silly matter.

The security is lying. They aren't ashamed to lie and do whatever it takes to get your info. I bet the second you left the building they were laughing.

The police were not involved so nothing will ever happen. The only thing that's happened is you got your name on the shops ban list. That's it. Nothing to do with immigration etc.

Primark security seem to have a habit of acting this way with people not from the UK

Thanks! So is that true that the immigration will not know this incident since no police were involved at the time? Sorry for being annoying, I'm just worrying I will lost my job because of this silly matter.

Shoplifting isn't a silly matter, but that apart, immigration won't know about it. As I said, abide by the rules when you come back.

HB

Shoplifting isn't a silly matter, but that apart, immigration won't know about it. As I said, abide by the rules when you come back.

 

 

HB

Thank you so much! I'm feeling much better now...

Hi and welcome to CAG

I heartily agree with every response so far.

Just to clarify. As no official record was made-because no police were involved- there will not be anything on record at Border Control. If you needed a visa to enter, you could truthfully say that you have no criminal record-because you haven't.

RLP have no power over you, ever! Only a company with a fool for a director would try to get payment from another country.

As three years have passed since the incident, you can safely go into any Primark store as they have forgotten about you.

Come to the UK. Enjoy our culture and don't steal. Simple enough.

Thank you for making it clear!

I can't wait to come back!