Thanks for your advice everyone. Today I received a reply from Debenhams re my request to see the CCTV footage I quote "CCTV systems are fitted within Debenhams stores as part of a Loss Prevention programme. They help to safeguard property and stock from theft and vandalism and provide both customers and staff with a safe environment. The CCTV system is only used for these authorised purposes and no other purpose that would breach an individuals rights as stated in th DPA 1998. Debenhams retains the CCTV recorded tapes for a period no longer than 28 days unless they are required for evidential purposes. Information is only available to authorised company personnel or externally for the prevention,detection and prosecution of criminal offences. Having looked at the footage you are requesting to view it has been decided that disclosuere of the tapes could prejudice the prosecution of offenders and as such your request has been denied. I am more than willing to reconsider the exclusion notice issued to your daughter after a period of no less than 3 months. I will respond to a request in writing after 20.09.07. Should you wish to pusue the matter I will have no option but to refer the incident to the police, which is our company policy for all shoplifting cases, however we did make an exception on this occasion due to the value of the goods." I know the exclusion order isn't worth the paper its written on but am furious that my daughter isn't getting the chance to clear her name.

To Gyzmo, I totally agree person who stole the necklace should be punished but don't think she should have been interviewed or made to sign anything without an adult known to her present. Likewise if my daughter knew of the intention to steal and didn't walk away then she should be punished, however she maintains she is innocent and I think the store handled things badly.

Thanks everyone you've made me feel much more positive. I believe my daughters version and am proceeding as advised. I've also let the other parent know as he is visiting Debenhams this evening.

Thanks for the advice! Where can I find an SAR ?

I'm writning in the hope that someone can offer me some guidance. Yesterday my 13 year old daughter was shopping with two friends in Debenhams. She arrived home with her friends mother who told me they'd been accused of shoplifting.Both my daughter and friend 1 dney the offence but friend 3 admitted to stealing a necklace (which) was round her neck. They were arrested after leaving Debenhams and shopping in another shop. The matter was dealt with by store dectectives who asked thm to empty their bags and show receipts for their purchases. \The necklace was the only stolen item. Both my daughter and her friend say they did not know ffriend 3 had intended to steal the necklace and didn't realise what had happened until the arrest. All three girls were asked to sign an order of exclusion from Debenhams before my friend arrived at the store. Neither she nor I realised they'd had to sign that order until later that evening.Both girls are adamant they did not know the third was stealing.The matter was not referred to the police. Today I went into Debenhams to find out what proof they have re the 2 girls involvement and the Support Manager advised he'd seen the CCTV footage which shows my daughter putting the necklace arond the third girls neck (she admits they looked at and discussed the necklaces but says she then spoke to her other friend and hadn't realised the necklace was not removed). Iasked to see the CCTV footage as UNless I saw for myself I couldn't believe my daughter is a thief. He advised I'd have to pay£50.00 and even then I wouldn't be guaranteed to be allowed to look at the footage. I said I'd pay the money and he then said the matter was still open and they may decide to involve the police.I said I still wanted to go ahead and he said I had to request this in writng which I dully did. He advised I'd hear form him in writing hopefuuly within a week. Please advise me what to do next.