shoplifting query

[wolfgang63]

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.

[citizenB]

I am just moving your thread to the Retail Loss Prevention forums.. where I am positive you will soon receive lots of comments as to this store person's actions !!

[wolfgang63]

Thank you very much citizenB.

 

I am sorry for posting in the wrong section.

 

regards

 

wolfgang

[citizenB]

No problem, CAG is a maze, I am sure you will soon find your way round

[Sidewinder]

Impossible to say or advise I'm afraid. You could always write to the Co-Op Head Office to express concern at the way that the person was handled, but I have no doubt that you would get a fairly non-committal 'thank you for your concern but it's none of your business' response!

 

In terms of the way that the individual was dealt with, whilst on the face of it there is the probability that it was very badly handled - assault springs to mind - but equally there could be a history involved. The man may have been a serial shoplifter, who on previous occasions has reacted violently and the manager could argue that he was using 'reasonable force' to detain him.

 

Don't get me wrong - this seems to be an appalling abuse, and involving some very dodgy practices which could leave the manager open to criminal investigation, but I also have no doubt that the Co-Op would argue mitigation - if you were to get any information at all.

[caledfwlch]

It seems very strange actually, that Citizens Arrest does not have a PACE requirement, given that an attested Police Officer, the person with the most arrest powers in the nation would be performing an illegal arrest without.

 

I personally, would have called the Police to report an assault in progress by shop staff on a member of the public, but I am an awkward sod, and guilty or not, people should be treated properly.

 

Even IF the guy is a repeat offender, that does not give store staff the right to walk right up to people and just violently drag them away saying nothing- this is the UK not some backwards hellhole like Communist China, or the United States!

[porrohman65]

I work in Asda, and as far as Im aware: Firstly you suppose to id your self, security, and then, ask them to come back into shop, most shoplifter will know the games up

 

Once in shop take the to security room, inform them whats going on