I am a total idiot. Today I decided to steal a fragrance from my local Debenhams store. I took it to the toilet of the store, ripped off the barcode and then flushed it down the toilet. I then walked out of the store, however I was stopped on the street by Debenhams security guards. I'm only 17 and this shocked me. I didn't know what the hell was going through my head. I could've paid for it myself but I felt getting it for free was more cooler. I was an idiot I suppose. the police officer came. He said because I have no prior history on the database, I will only be given a fine which will not be recorded on any database and will not destroy my future career options. He said this fine was more like a speeding ticket. The offence code was DA12. paid of the fine already of £80, however when I got home I researched this and discovered that offence DA12 is recordable and I will now have a criminal record? the value of the item was £45. I was given an information sheet about RLP taking civil recovery. How much would this roughly be? I do not want to fight as I want to pay this off immediately and try to get rid of any offences being recorded.

i got caught shoplifting today on cctv. I feel really bad about it and have just spent hours crying. i took a couple of salads and a drink, pretty pathetic of me but i had my son who was being so difficult and the till point lines were so long. While i was in the back room a policeman came in and showed me his ID a nd told me i was wasting their time and left. The security handled the rest. I only showed them my credit card. When they send me the Retail Loss Prevention letter can i deny it was me if i reported my credit card stolen? I know it's low, but the thought that my name is down as a theft is killing me.

My girl friend was at Primark, she got caught stealing. Was taken to a room by Security and since she didnt have a photographic evidence with her , police were called who cautioned her, she signed a letter by the police. Primark sent separate details to the RLP and said they will make their recovery from there. Question is: - What to expect from the RLP? - How much money should she pay to the RLP. She had apologized and vowed never ever to steal again. this was her first time and she regrets it fully. But now I need to help her out. I have no experience of dealing with RLP before. At Primakr she made a formal apology to the security in the presence of the Police . Is the RLP still going to come after her? The things she took, they were not damaged other then the price tags , I think she took off the tags off one of the products. Is Primark going to take unnecessary action against her if she refuses to deal with RLP? Also , will she be able to shop at Manchester store?

I really need some help and some advice on what to do asap. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies. I am desperate right now. I am in the UK. Been out tonight. Got home and my mum told me she'd had a phonecall from the police. It is regarding a shoplifting offence that I have previously committed and thought I got away with. It was groceries. I am not going to go into details of why because it won't help right now but it's not the first time and I had a caution just a few weeks ago - I know, I know, please a lecture isn't goign to help, I know how wrong I am. at the time I did worry that they had seen me and it was late at night and they obviously took my mums registration number and this is how they have got into contact these weeks later. I didn't speak to the policewoman obviously but she is apparently going to ring me tomorrow to discuss this. What do I do? What do I say? What is going to happen to me? If I have to go to the police station again I don't think I could cope with it all. I know I need to not do this again. I have a very severe eating disorder which is the root of all this but I KNOW it isn't an excuse. They would be able to see by cctv that I am quite ill though appearance wise, but I don't think it will make a jot of difference really as like I said this isn't the first time and I should have learnt my bloody lesson by now. I hate myself. But I need to know what to say on the phone. Whether to admit it or say I can't remember or what/ I just don't know. I am scared. Please help. & please don't judge I can't deal with it. Can't believe this is happening. Apparently they actually thought i'd stolen my mums car or something and she had to explain that no, she bought me shopping but did not know I had stolen, I used the self serve checkouts and just didn't pay for a lot of stuff. Like I said it was late at night and they had no security around. Thank you for reading.

stupidly I stole some blister plasters and heel protecters from boots, they were taken out of the packaging, a security guard in normal clothes took me into a back room took my details down form my driving license, the police weren't called, and i signed a 12 month ban from the store. I was also given an information letter about RLP about making a fine/payment to them for my wrong act. I gave the security guard my uni address as i dont want my parents to know, i just want to know do i have a criminal record even though the police weren't called or i was not read my right? and how long does it take for the RLP letter to come though? i just want to pay it and forget about all of this

I very stupidly decided to steal items from TK Maxx. I was caught, and the Police were called. The total amount in goods was around £120, and I returned them to the store. I honestly don't know what was running through my head at the time, perhaps just, ohh, I may be able to get that for free if I steal it. I am now feeling like a foolish wreck and will never do it again. The police were called as I am 19 year old female student and in University and I have to pay a £80 fine to Thames Valley Police. I was also issued with a Notice of Intended Civil Recovery. I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN! And I JUST FEEL SO ASHAMED AND GUILTY. I was wondering how much the Civil Recovery charge would perhaps amount to, as I am a student and don't have much money to live on, let alone pay this fee, and I'm feeling really scared. I don't want my parents to find out. I am so sorry and scared, and also wondered if there were people I am able to email and to get some advice. thank you

I can't explain how or why but yesterday I was caught shoplifting in my local Tesco. I can't stop crying, didn't sleep last night, feel sick to the stomach and so so ashamed. I have never been involved in a crime or with the police before in my life. I went to do some grocery shopping and needed some small toiletry items. So stupid I know but I put thes four items in my shopping bag to save them falling through the trolley (have done it so many times before.) but for some reason, I cannot explain, forgot to put them on the conveyor and subsequently didn't realise. As soon as I left the store via the underground carpark, the security men came after me. I straight away tried to explain but they were having non of it, especially the one guard and as I had my works school uniform on (was on way to work,) he was stating whilst I was escorted to the managers office how the police would be called and I would lose my job, etc, etc. furthermore, I would be banned from the store. I was just so stunned and in shock, I couldn't speak. I did ask if I could phone work as I would be late but was told no. I cooperated fully and offered to pay for the items, total £14.99 to which they refused. According to the store manager and security guards, I was intent on shoplifting as I put the items in my bag as they viewed the cctv and they were "luxury" items and the look on my face apparently told it all. They stated they had been watching me since entering the store. I can assure hand on heart this was not my intention. The police came and didn't feel the need to pursure further. However the security guard felt different. Everything was so much of a blur, I cannot even remember fully what I was told. I know I signed a form stating I would never enter a Tesco store or petrol station again and I am pretty sure I was given a caution. I wasn't issued with a fine. I was also give a RLP form by the store Manager. Finally I was asked to pay for the goods. I did this and then was escorted off the premises. I don't know the police station the officers came from. Is it worth finding out? I was late for work and in such a state but couldn't say what hat happened (so shameful and embarrased,) just that an incident had occured at Tesco. I haven't told anyone what has happened, I can't even tell my husband but know people that work in Tesco so am worried sick its going to come out. My hubby will also start asking questions when I don't shop in Tesco as this is our nearest supermarket and convenient so this will pose a problem in itself. Today, in light of things and due to lack of sleep and I cannot stop crying (even as I type this,) how will this affect my job? I already have a CRB and don't think it is due for renewal but will my school be notified of any changes? The police advised me to tell my employer but if there isn't any need then do I really need to? Will I be charged by the RLP? Has anyone still shopped in Tesco after being banned? My head is spinning today and I struggled to get out of bed this morning to sort the kids. Its just not like me and i have cancelled all my appointments today, I feel like crawling in a hole and never come out again. Please someone advise me.

Hi, I stole a £2 face cream, was caught, took to a room - they didn't call the police but said they will send me a fine 'civil recovery'. Now I've read enough stuff on here to totally ignore all of their threats but whilst in the security room to prove i was who i said i was i gave the security guard my debit card and he photocopied it, now I'm worried they will take the fine out of my account regardless... Any advice greatly appreciated...

Iwas caught the other day for shoplifting at a B&Q Store. I have a few questions maybe you can help me. Firts of all no police was called. I only took a part (blade) from a whole machine becouse I was need it desperately and they do not sell spares for that machine. I gave the blade back and offered to buy the whole thing (L49) But they refused. I gave my driving licence and they made a copy, and I signed a paper, accepting they banned me. They banned me, but can I go back to their stores? What is going to happen? Is it going to give me a criminal record? My old address is on my licence, but will they contact me?(becouse I have to ask who lives there to give me the letter) Anyone with a same stoy? What happened? Please tell me whats up, im a tradesman and I never did that before.

Hi, I'm wondering if any of you can help me. My sister is usually of good character, has no criminal record and has never been in trouble with the police before. Yesterday she was caught stealing approximately £50 worth of cosmetics/perfume from Superdrug. The police were not called or even notified, store security took her name, address, contact telephone number, photo and N.I number. I do not condone her behaviour but she is in a state and realises it was a stupid stupid stupid thing to do. Superdrug have banned her for life from their stores and the shopping centre it happened in have given her a two year ban. She has been told that she will recieve a letter in the post for a Civil Recovery Claim and my questions are as follows: A) How much is the CRC likely to be for? B) Can Superdrug stores ban her for life? She is worried about going in to one by mistake and getting arrested or something. C) Will this CRC and her details being put on a 'Dishonesty Database' affect any future employment etc? Will it come up in a CRB check for instance? Thanks in advance for any help .

Hello guys/gals. I am new to this forum and excuse me if I am posting this in the wrong section. My query is relating to an incident that happened in my local co-op today. I was at the checkout waiting to pay for my items and I noticed a guy walking out of the shop with crutches. As soon as he got out the door, a staff member (maybe security or manager because he had a shirt and tie on) walked outside and immediately grabbed him by both arms and dragged him back in to the shop without stopping to say anything to him before performing this action. He then continued to drag him to the back of the shop. Now maybe I am wrong but this seems not a very lawful way to go about things in aprehending a potential shoplifter. I registered my disgust with the staff guy because I thought he was out of hand. He said that the guy was probably not even disabled. The other guy had actually stole some meat product. So some of you may have no sympathy for him. I was really shocked. The staff guy did say sorry to me! I don't know if that is his way of admitting he is in the wrong. Now maybe I should just leave it at that but I really feel deep inside that an injustice was done here. Can anyone shed any light on if the staff guy was acting within his rights. Thank you very much.

Hi Im just after a bit of advice if anyone can help please.. I was caught shoplifting in B&Q I know its wrong I dont know why i did it, Ive never done it before and have never been in trouble with the police either. I was stopped at the door with some little odds and ends I had put in my pocket,to the ammout of around £45 apparently? I was taken into the little room and asked to empty out my pockets which I did. They then rang the police and an officer came searched me, checked my details etc, and gave me an £80 fine on the spot, which I have now paid. I have now recieved a letter from RLP claiming they want moneys to the sum off £115 for damaged goods(which there were zero off as all were in the wrappers) and admin fees etc. I did sign a form they had only after the Police had been, as he gave them my details anyway. Is it right for the RLP to claim this ammount from me, as there was no loss to themselves,?? I hope some can advise me on this

Hi All, my friend and I were shopping at Asda, she had trolley with her stuff and I had my own stuff, I was in the queue but then realized she is in some kind of trouble with security officers, After 40 mins or so she came out and explained me what happened - for some reasons she took trolley out of asda gate without paying and one security officer came out and asked her if she had paid, she honestly said she has not and came back in, they took her to security room and started interrogating her, they obviously did not believe that it was just her mistake and she agreed that she made a very stupid mistake but she is not a criminal. Moreover she just received British Citizenship and is about to apply for British passport. Security officer did not call any police as she agreed that she made a mistake, and she signed a letter which states that she is now banned from coming to asda for next 6 months or so, officer also mentioned that she will be receiving fine of £150 which she has no issues in paying She is working as a manager in a very reputed company and now extremely worried for following reasons, has been reading about all of this since it happened yesterday with her, Any kind of help will be much appreciated. 1. Is this incident going to affect her current employment, she is working there from last 4+ years and has very good reputation 2. Is this incident going to affect her future jobs etc especially if she works for a financial institution 3. Is this going to affect her passport application, she has already received British citizenship 4. Is this information going to be shared with police? can police be involved now? 5. Officer told her that she will receive civil recovery fine from another company, I read some posts related to that where it says that her information will be stored in National database of dishonest people, is that true, if yes how does this affect her career? Pls help with information, does she needs to visit a lawyer? Regds Shikha

I'm ashamed to say, I shoplifted, or attempted to shoplift from Boots today. It was an expensive electric razor, costing something like £250. I wanted to sell it to pay my rent. I got caught half way down the street, and I admitted to stealing almost instantly. They took me to a back office, and took my name and address, searched my bag and got me to sign a few documents. This is the first time something like this has happened to me. I didn't really read on what I was signing, but they said they weren't going to contact the police, but I have been banned from all Boots stores for a year, and will be contacted by the RLP by post. The security guard was very friendly and down to earth, getting my permission before searching my bag and wallet. I have a few questions that I looked for the answers for in other threads, but could not find. 1. Are the RLP envelopes marked obviously? I would prefer it if my housemates did not find out about this. I am very embarrassed. 2. I am currently unemployed and looking for work. I cannot even afford my rent at the moment. I have read that it is possible to persuade the RLP to end their requests for money, if your financial position is already in bad shape. Does anyone have any ideas on this? 3. The security guard said that because it was a high value item, the charge would be quite high, something like 200/250 pounds. However, as they have retrieved the item, and it is still sealed and available to resell, should it be this high? I guess I should wait for the dreaded letter. I really don't want to tell anyone about this, but how do I avoid going into Boots with my girlfriend/friends/family?

Hi, My friend recently took items totaling around £9 from a TK Maxx store and was caught. She is now banned from all TK Maxx locations and is to get an RLP letter with a fine. The police weren't called and they got their items back. She's never done anything like this before, and I don't know what she was thinking. But I've been doing research for her, how much should she expect to be fined? What happens if she doesn't pay? She's repentant and ready to pay all losses and make the wrong right, I believe. Could the fine be lowered because of it being a first time offense? Or because the amount stolen was small? I've just heard the fines can be extreme, and am concerned because she doesn't have much money. Also, she was never asked to sign anything, only given a statement of ban and a sheet of paper from the rlp. Any advice from anyone with personal experience with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Was shopping for pans today, opened 2 boxes to compare, repaced boxes but was distracted by kids, paid for a set with a credit card and came home. when i opened box i had repacked an extra pan. If i return the pan can i be accused of theft? they have CCTV i think? as i repacked the box. If i dont return the pan can they trace me as i paid by creditcard? I was an accident but really worried.

Hi - would very much appreciate some advice. I was doing my normal weekly shop in my local supermarket this morning and as per usual visited the magazine aisle were I picked up 3 magazines that I commonly buy. The magazines not covered in plastic I stuck under my handbag at the front of the trolley (as I do every week) as experience has shown that these can easily get torn at the bottom of the trolley. I did the rest of my shopping, paid for the goods and on leaving the store was apprehended by a junior manager in the store saying that she had reason to believe that I was leaving the store with goods that I had not paid for. I initially denied this (not being aware of the fact) and then as she escourted me to the managers offices I realised that my magazes totally £8 were lying under my bag. I explained the situation and was then read the Notice of Intended Civil Recovery and provided my name, address, phone number and national insurance number. Meanwhile the manager went and produced a receipt for the two items in question and explained that they would be bringing civil recovery proceedings against me. I initially calmly explainined the mistake, but as the proceedings were read out against me, I became quite upset and 4 hours on am still feeling sick to my stomach. The questions I have that I need answers for are as follows: 1) No police were involved and I have not admited to any wrong doing - am I likely to be charged? 2) Should I contact the store and argue my case further to try and get the civil proceedings revoked? 3) If I pay the civil recovery amount (when it comes through) - does this get reflected on my criminal record or indeed on any search an employer may conduct. 4) Is paying the civil recovery amount seen as an admission of guilt - I am maintaining my innocence in this matter. 5) Will a civil recovery be picked up on a visa appliation for the US/Canada - I am moving there in 6 months time. I am sorry for the questions but I am genuinely feeling very sick and confused. Any help or answers to my questions if you have experienced something similar would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

I have never had this kind of problem and let alone I was stupidly thinking!!!!! I am an international student and yes,me and my friend went to Boots to get cosemetics and we both took perfumes 4 each and they cost around £200 :-( . They called the police,I also got a RLP letter and they banned me from Boots. I will have to go to the Thames Valley police station tomorrow (They took my passport,the officer said ''I'm taking this to make sure you come'') I am very worried about how much this will cost me. My boyfriend has promised to pay this off for me but isnt it going to be too much?? Also.. .I will have to re-new my Visa in July and I am worried about the Criminal charges and stuff.. ..How much does this usually cost??? and will I be able to get my Visa???

Hey, please don't judge me but i was recently caughts shoplifting in tk maxx for 2 pairs of headphones each worth £9.99 but were removed from packaging and i doubt could be resold. I know this was very dumb of me and i know i will never do it again , the guilt is too much. It was really a dumb thing to do i understand but i need some help. Me and my friend were caught , with me handling the goods and the security guard dressing in casual clothes , brought us to the back of the store in a room and asked if we knew what we had done, feeling so guilty i told them that i shoplifted and he asked for the goods and did a quick search of our bags. He said he wouldnt call the police as we were very cooperative and he took down our names , addresses and mobile numbers. and made us sign a banning notice from the store. He told me that as i had the goods i was in deeper trouble and that i would soon get a unmarked letter from RLP requiring me to pay a fine.No police were called and this was done in under 15 minutes but he had seen us in the shop for about 30 minutes before on cctv. The guy was very friendly surprisingly , but if my parents find out, they won't be. The problem is that, When will the letter from RLP come as this happened yesterday? What does the letter look like, is it really unmarked or does it say" shoplifting fine" or something. How much will the fine be approximately? and if i pay this fine , will it show up on a CRB or Enhanced CRB ? If i pay by card, how much will that cost me? I just don't want my parents finding out, and am extremely worried, i have no idea why i did what i did and am extremely ashamed. I've been very nervous and just need some help , I don't mind paying the fine as i know that i am guilty, if you could help me with this , it would be very appreciated thanks..

Hi, I was charged of Shoplifting at a Store where I had paid for one set of stuff that i purchased, before leaving the store i recalled buying sum more stuff, sum of which I forgetfully put into the bag carrying the previously purchased items and bills. Their camera noticed this and they said i was guilty of shoplifting, they called the police and asked me to pay double the price of the item that was unbilled & in my bag, I agreed for that but got very nervous and started crying. They also accused me of possessing other used stuff that I was carrying in my purse to have been shoplifted. However, the police arrived and questioned me, I admit that I picked the item but it was by an accident that I did not paid for it. Seeing me cry & nervous, they checked on my status & found that I was having enough money in my wallet to pay for the articles and agreed that I did it by accident. They asked me to write a paper admitting the same with my signature on it. The store authority banned me from entering their store for a year & later I received a paper from court stating that I was found guilty of 'shoplifting' and if I feel it is a wrong decision I should appeal against it in the court in some stipulated time (which I dont remember now as I tore the paper & threw it away....) or otherwise I would stand guilty and the decision would stay in records for 2 yrs. and then will be taken off the record. Now there are 3 questions I need to know: 1. What kind of offence it is: Criminal, Civil, Convicted? 2. What way can I get another copy of the court judgement (as I threw the one I received), as I have to fill in my Tier1 (PSW) visa application and need to mention the details of the court judgement? 3. Does the above have a negative bearing on getting a visa and also does it affects my chances of employment in UK or can I hide this in my job applications if it is a minor offence/ judgement? Your reply would be of great help to me as it is getting me worried days & nights from all the above 3 respects. Thanks in advance.