Shoplifting in Tesco - help please!!!

[rachelscatt]

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.

[freakyleaky]

Have a read of other threads in the forum for similar situations while you're waiting for replies.

Have a look at this one for starters. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?365823-Caught-Stealing-In-Primark-amp-Have-Phoned-RLP

[freakyleaky]

Try not to worry. Everyone makes mistakes and it looks like the police aren't interested so I doubt this will show on any record. Although I'm sure others wil correct me if I'm wrong.

If you have been banned from Tesco then find somewhere else to shop. The embarrassment of being stopped and asked to leave isn't worth it.

[rachelscatt]

Is anyone else around? Im absolutely devestated by whats happened and so ashamed. really need advice guys

[freakyleaky]

Sorry not to be of any use.

Have you had a read of similar threads?

Would you like me to find other threads with the same issue for you?

I will remove the duplicate post you have made on this thread.

[freakyleaky]

Did the police give you a formal caution? Did they ask you to sign any paperwork (police)?

[rachelscatt]

It all passed in a blur but what i do recolect is signing a piece of paper barrijng me from all tesco stores and petrol stations and then was informed a letter would be sent from tedco head office. The police filled a form in with myname and address on. i didnt sign it. the police then got tesco tel no and then informed the security guard he would phone thro crime number later yesterday afternoon. the police were constantly asking if i understood everything as next time i could be arrested.

 

Its the whole barring and crb thing i am worried sick about.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I think there are two things that you need to be aware of:

 

1. If you did not get a police caution, nothing will show on your CRB check. However, it sounds as if you were not arrested, and neither did you receive a police caution (you'd have been given a piece of paper with it on if you had, and as far as I know, a caution is administered at the police station). In other words, in the eyes of the law, you are innocent of any crime. What Tesco's security guard thinks is of no consequence.

 

2. Tesco are allowed to ban whom they like. How they can ensure that you comply is another matter. Probably best to avoid that store for a while, though.

 

Tesco are clients of RLP, but their involvement isn't automatic in Tesco cases. If you hear from them, come back and we'll show you how to deal with them - but have a good read around here first!

[ScarletPimpernel]

Just to add, if the security guard or anyone you know who works in Tesco discussed this outside the boundaries of their job, they'd be in serious data protection poo, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

As to how you feel - it'll pass. It may not feel that way now, but it will. You made an innocent mistake - and that is why the police weren't interested. The security guard doesn't have the training, and probably the intelligence either, to know the difference. His attitude has contributed to the way you feel now, but you know that it's wrong.

 

It may feel to you as if everyone knows, but they don't. You made a mistake, and that's all; the same as leaving a light on, or locking your keys in the car. A moment's inattention, nothing more.

[ScarletPimpernel]

RenegadeImp: There's no RLP involvement in this case, so to avoid confusing OP I've unapproved your post.

[renegadeimp]

Woops my bad. I was commenting on somethign else and it got crossed. I really need to wake up .

 

However, the Goods were paid for and the police didnt prosecute. So the OP should take a deep breath and move on.

[rachelscatt]

Thanks guys, have started to feel.better this afternoon, especially making it through the doors at work and no one batting an eyelid!

 

I am going to meet a friend for a drink later even tho i declined this morning.

 

Thank you for your support , keep it coming!

[TFL is HELL]

As far as I can understand, you just got a ticking off, & you'll be banned from Tesco forever! Some stores might use facial recognition software, so to avoid the embarrassment of being frog marched out of any Tesco's you probably should use a different branded store.

 

As soon as the goods were paid for no crime had been committed. Tesco accepted your offer of payment so nothing should come of this. NB Richard Madeley was acquitted on the grounds of a memory lapse - it happens - but be more careful. I'm sure the experience of this shocked you to the core & you'll shudder at any Tesco's sign or commercial, but you will get over this!

[renegadeimp]

Im curious. When you paid for the goods, did you get to keep them? There have been stories floating around that some shops dont let the people keep the items, even after paying for them. This is a criminal activity and we need to find out if its true.

[Hackedoffagain]

It will be a story you will be telling your kids in a while nd laughing about it, Sounds as though your a decent individual who is full of remorse and guilt for an action out of character, it was a lapse of concentration, I dd it with. Large Bag of dried dog food which I put on the shelf under the trolley asked paid for my shopping, went to the car ad relished what I'd one, went back in nd lid I hasten to add, but these things happen to the best of us, Seems the cameras are just trained on to th " luxury items" just ask Anthony wOrral Thomson the chef, he was done for something similar earlier this year

[Hackedoffagain]

Bloody iPad, that makes no sense what so ever, hope you get the jist of it.

[rachelscatt]

The police asked if i had means to pay for the goods which i had as i hadnt meant not to pay for them. the police then asked the security guard if he would accept payment and he said i was to pay for them. i did via the till and got to keep said goods. i was then escorted off the premises

[Hackedoffagain]

The police asked if i had means to pay for the goods which i had as i hadnt meant not to pay for them. the police then asked the security guard if he would accept payment and he said i was to pay for them. i did via the till and got to keep said goods. i was then escorted off the premises

 

Alls well that ends well. You will not receive a criminal record for this. If you didn't have the means to pay it would of been a whole different story

[renegadeimp]

Yep. Its over and done with. Stay away from the store for a few weeks, and i guarantee they wont even remember you.

[eyeinthesky]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if the police were going to give the store a crime number, then they are raising a crime report, which will be recorded. I would guess that what happened was their idea of restorative justice, you apologise to the store and pay for the goods taken, but they still report the crime. This may appear on a future crb check. Sorry!

[renegadeimp]

Im not sure thats accurate. Since no charges etc were ever brought. It would certainly go on the police's attendance record thing. But most likely not on the Criminal one.

 

However, you would need to check with the police station if you did receive a caution or not, as some officers simply use their own judgement and give you a slap on the wrist. The attendance at the store would be recorded, but often it doesnt go any further than that.

[eyeinthesky]

Yep. Its over and done with. Stay away from the store for a few weeks, and i guarantee they wont even remember you.

How can you possibly guarantee that? I still remember shoplifters faces and names from 8 years ago!

[renegadeimp]

How can you possibly guarantee that? I still remember shoplifters faces and names from 8 years ago!

 

Thats you. In major supermarkets, the same security guys, especially in sainsburys, asda and tesco, rarely stay for more than a few weeks at a time. They are normally contracted security staff from an agency asnd as such move around a lot. Couple this with tens of thousands of people moving through the store per week, and you get the idea.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if the police were going to give the store a crime number, then they are raising a crime report, which will be recorded. I would guess that what happened was their idea of restorative justice, you apologise to the store and pay for the goods taken, but they still report the crime. This may appear on a future crb check. Sorry!

 

DirectGov says:

 

Standard CRB checks will contain details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings from the Police National Computer (PNC).

The enhanced CRB check will include any information from the PNC and may also search:

information held by local police forces

lists of people barred from working with children and adults which are kept by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

 

A report of an alleged crime does not a criminal record make.

[renegadeimp]

DirectGov says:

 

 

 

A report of an alleged crime does not a criminal record make.

 

Thats exactly what i was thinking, otherwise there would be tens of thousands of people that have criminal records and not know it.