I’ve been stupid and was caught shoplifting in Sainsburys and looking for some advice.

I’ve searched the forum for similar situations, but I still have a few questions.

I was taken to the back office office and asked for my name, DOB and address.

I didn’t want to give them photo ID so showed them my bank card.

They appeared to just look at it to confirm my name and didn’t take any photocopies of it as far as I’m aware.

I was very compliant, stayed calm, handed over the items immediately (very low cost: less than £9 in total which I then paid in full before leaving).

I was then given a lifetime ban letter and was escorted to customer services where I paid for the items and then I was free to go.

I apologised and asked numerous times if they were going to call the police and/or if the police will come to my address.

They kept saying they weren’t going to call the police and that if police were to be involved they’d have called them then and there.

I’m at university and they did say that it’s not worth getting a criminal record over etc, warned me not to do it again, and gave me the printed off letter.

From reading the forum and just common sense, I’m assuming that this is not currently and will not escalate to a criminal/police matter since they weren’t contacted and that this isn’t a criminal record (i.e not a charge, caution, etc) and will not appear on any background checks?

I was told I will be getting a letter regarding compensation charges but from reading here it appears it’ll be a standard comp charge which I don’t have to pay?

I understand they’ll keep writing to me but I gave my university address and barely get post sent there anyway so hardly ever even check my pigeon hole.

Is it safe to just forget about it and ignore the letters which I’ll be sent (but probably never get...)

I’m also of the understanding that I’d only have to pay if any loss occurred and because I paid for the items in full, there’s no loss right?

Plus they can’t charge me for wages/time already being paid for (security etc).

my questions are as follows, any help would be much appreciated:

1. Why did they ask my DOB (I just don’t see how that’s relevant, what can they do with that info)?

2. Since I gave my university address if I don’t respond and just ignore their compensation letters will they contact my university and ask for my home/permanent address?

3. I paid for the items on my debit card, could they either track me and further personal details, including home address, from that?

4. I’ve seen a template of a response to the letter basically saying no further correspondence will be entered into. Is it better to just completely ignore their letters or send something like that back to them?

5. As queried in my post, would it be safe to just ignore the letters and put this behind me? I’m stupid and have learnt a big lesson today, so please, no judgement. Am I right to think this will not escalate to a police matter (providing I don’t go back into a Sainsburys store)?

6. Is there anything I should know or do, anything that will put my mind at ease.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Oh and when I said that I gave my university address I meant my halls of residence uni building (as opposed to a private rented student house) hence I’m worried they could ask my university for further details/my home address since my address given basically is the university.

you forget it ever happened.

 

1. Why did they ask my DOB (I just don’t see how that’s relevant, what can they do with that info)?

 

.

Presumably as proof of ID. If you were caught shoplifting in a Sainsburys store again they want a way of knowing if it is you or someone else with the same name. So asking for DOB as well as name is standard part of most ID checks to avoid the risk of confusing people with the same name.

Hi and welcome to CAG

1. Why did they ask my DOB (I just don’t see how that’s relevant, what can they do with that info)?

 

If you are under 18, there a different procedures. I believe it is DWF that act for Sainsbury's and under 18's cannot be taken to County Court for damages. Of course this will never see a court.

 

2. Since I gave my university address if I don’t respond and just ignore their compensation letters will they contact my university and ask for my home/permanent address?

 

Nope. If they did, that would be a serious breach of GDPR

 

3. I paid for the items on my debit card, could they either track me and further personal details, including home address, from that?

 

Nope. They never see those details unless you have registered for online shopping. Not that they can use that info though (see GDPR above)

 

4. I’ve seen a template of a response to the letter basically saying no further correspondence will be entered into. Is it better to just completely ignore their letters or send something like that back to them?

 

Ignore

 

5. As queried in my post, would it be safe to just ignore the letters and put this behind me? I’m stupid and have learnt a big lesson today, so please, no judgement. Am I right to think this will not escalate to a police matter (providing I don’t go back into a Sainsburys store)?

 

Correct. No police were involved therefore no action will come of this incident. If you went into a store, all they can do is escort you out.

6. Is there anything I should know or do, anything that will put my mind at ease.

 

Yes, you actually paid for the stolen items and as such they can do nothing to you. You may get a letter stating they want money for security costs but you can ignore that totally

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Oh and when I said that I gave my university address I meant my halls of residence uni building (as opposed to a private rented student house) hence I’m worried they could ask my university for further details/my home address since my address given basically is the university.

 

Nope! Post should go to the HoR and not be opened by anyone other than you

I can safely say you have learned your lesson but please don't do it again as it makes us as well as yourself look foolish.

If you read a thread in the stickies it covers a case where a store took two teenagers to court with the assistance of RLP. That case was lost because (in part) due to the fact that store security are paid whether or not the apprehend anyone so there can be no security costs.

Hope that helps

The Uni I worked in would give short shrift to any company asking for personal details of the students. They would probably end up being listed as an organisation that is to be avoided at all costs like the men who sell you laptops out of the back of their van etc

Hey guys,

thanks for the advice

after reading your replies I felt a lot better and to be honest kind of forgot all about it!

(Don’t worry I’m still never going to do it again).

I decided to check my uni post and I definitely haven’t received any letters from anyone about the incident...

it’s only been two weeks but I expected to have heard by now.

Does this mean I’m safe?

Obviously if I do end up getting something I know to just ignore but was wondering if they maybe decided not to bother since it was for such a stupid and low amount?

there never was anything for you to be 'unsafe' about...

As you paid for the goods, there can be no incident so any letters that arrive can be ignored. I would say that you should have received something by now but give it another couple of weeks to see if anything does arrive (I doubt it) Just stay away from Sainsbugs for a while