Many many thanks Sidewinder for the clarification. From reading numerous posts I assumed that I probably wouldn't hear anything not because it was only 43p, but because there seems to be a very specific process followed in these cases (unless it involves multiple thefts). This involves being stopped at the time by security, properly ID'd, made to sign a banning letter and then told / given a letter re RLP. As none of that happened I assumed it was unlikely to after the event, especially as CCTV footage unless v v clear is not enough evidence. Further small stores only have CCTV on expensive items such as booze. I will definitely be steering clear of that store as they could issue me with a ban in person. The good news is there are lots of others nearby and also that store has an extremely high turnover of staff anyway. However it was v useful to know that Tesco cannot pass my details onto RLP as I wasn't looking forward to dealing with them. And after this close scare I'm not going to be doing anything as stupid as this again. It was a one time only thing (a moment of madness) and I've totally learned my lesson!

Many thanks Renegadeimp for taking the time to provide the reassurance. And don't worry, I won't be doing this ever again. I've totally learned my lesson

Many thanks. I'm just being completely paranoid I know but reading GrumpyToSayTheLeast comment didn't really help! I'm just rethinking what happened and putting in nuances where there were none. Worst case is a store ban (if that) but seriously, if the Police / Tesco put any effort into chasing me over possibly losing 43p then they all have far too much time on their hands! PS I'm fine not popping into that store for 12 months, because the road near me is now full of other Supermarket Express stores. Apparentely they are the new charity shops on the high street!

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Yes that's my feeling too. The cashier had time to ask his colleague what to do and still didn't ask for ID or my details. I voluntarily paid with my credit card (total stupidity I know!). In fact he just peeled off the dodgy price label, crumbled it up and threw it in the bin. Further I paid the correct price for the cakes anyway before leaving the store. Plus going through CCTV footage is a real pain over 43p, and that's assuming there is even any footage which clearly shows wrongdoing. When I was nearly assaulted in that same store 2 years ago it turned out that the only CCTV cameras they have are on the entrance and on items of high value ie alcohol! Obviously if I'd paid in cash this would all be moot, but I'll steer clear of that store for 6-12 months just in case. I'm just wondering whether RLP can get involved if no action was taken at the time?

Yeah I'm a Tesco Shareholder. It isn't shoplifters costing Tesco money thats the problem, it's the top level management cooking the books of millions!

Many Thanks DX for your response. I've been frantically reading numerous forum posts about this, and it seems that unless someone in the store actually saw you swapping price labels, then CCTV footage simply isn't enough. And that's assuming there is any CCTV footage. From a previous incident in that store where I was the victim of an attempted assault, Tesco admitted at the time that they only have CCTV cameras of the entrance and high value items ie the booze. As I wasn't actually stopped, questioned, the Police called or forced to fill in a form nor handed a banning letter I don't see what Tesco can actually do now, especially as it involves 43p and I ended up paying the correct amount for it. They would now need to prove that I actually did it (based upon CCTV footage only) and I'm not sure on what basis RLP would be able to proceed anyway. Needless to say if they do, then they'll be wasting alot of paper and postage pursuing me with no result! Needless to say I'm steering clear of cream cakes and that Tesco Store for 6-12 months!

Hi, I completely lost the plot this evening. I went to my local Tesco Express (it's attached to a petrol station) and suddenly got a craving for cream cakes. There were some which were reduced but they weren't the one's I like. In a moment of madness I swapped the price labels to not 1 but 2 packets of cream cakes. I took just 1 packet to the cashier along with some other legitimately reduced items. The cashier realised the what I had done I pretended I had no idea what was going on. In fact I went back and grabbed a packet of legitimately reduced cream cakes, paid for my total shopping using a Tesco Credit Card (I was obviously having a total meltdown) and left. Total value of the swap 43p or 86p if you include the 2nd packet of cakes I left behind in the chiller cabinet. So my questions are: 1) The store staff didn't take me anywhere to question me, didn't make me fill in any forms, no Police were called I guess they couldn't really apprehend me as they don't have a security guard. However they do have my credit card details s o could they review the CCTV footage and then tell the Police? Would the Police be interested in a 43p matter? 2) Can Tesco pass the matter onto RPL anyway just on the basis of the cashier's suspicion and possibly some CCTV footage? 3) Could Tesco subsequently ban me from all their stores? 4) How quickly do RPL / Tesco work in such matters. If I don't hear in a month from anyone should I assume I've got off? I'm hoping that as nothing was done at the time, that Tesco aren't going to involve the Police over 43p. However whether they can get RLP and a ban in place after the event is another matter. Has anyone had a letter from RLP and /or a ban from Tesco after the event, or are you always told at the time the offence was suspected/caught? Of course this would all be moot if I hadn't been stupid enough to use my Tesco Credit Card to pay for it all! PS Yes I know I am a total moron. I have never done anything like this before and never will again!