RLP new situation

[gabiapi]

Hello!

 

Sorry for bringing this up again

 

but after reading most of the threads concerning RLP and your pdf file about CAB there is a certain situation which might not be covered, mine.

 

I'm a international student (from an EU country) in Scotland

 

as my sister's birthday is approaching I decided that I want to go and buy her something.

 

I went to Primark as I know that I can get something good enough at a very decent price.

. I saw a nice dress and jacket, both worth around 65 quid (quite a lot for Primark).

That's when it strikes me this horrible idea, five finger discount.

 

On my way out I've been stopped,

went very quiet in the back room,

gave my details, w

aited for about an hour until police arrived

(police was not involved in most previously cases that I read about),

 

they got my details, address and mobile phone number as well.

I did apologize for what I've done and they asked me a couple of questions while they were making fun of me

being a student and threatening me that I will go to jail if I don't give him my exact details (had no id on me at that time)

 

They gave me a piece of paper about RLP,

 

while I was waiting for the police to arrive,

one of them was writing like a report and the other one went to the till and scanned the items

(which were with tags on them), came back with the receipt which remained on their desk.

 

My situation is as fallows:

- I'm a student, how is this going to affect me in the future? (the policeman said this will be the end of my studies)

- They said that I've been recorded by the CCTV (actually, the male dressed normally that hired to walk about spotted me, that's what I got from their RLP guard and the policemen)

- I'm leaving at the address provided only temporarily (for another two weeks)

- My parents don't help me so much with the money as they cannot afford (100 quid is a wage for a hole month in my country),

usually what I get during the summer from my job is what I have during the year

 

1) When I'll receive their letter should I reply to them saying that I want no trouble and pay them in 10 quid instalments (less food for me)? Do you predict that they would accept?

2) What is this Enhanced CRB and how's going to affect my future?

3) Should I go to the nearest police station/CAB and discuss this with them?

4) Ignore them and risk to get retained at the airport when I'll go back for Christmas?

 

I'm already disturbed about this hole incident,

I feel depressed as I'm here alone and I want to get over it

but I don't know were to go and what to do.

 

I feel like I paid my debt for all those horrible feelings,

but this does not matter for them, they just want the money.

 

Can't think about anything else.

. and I have couple of deadlines for a project and 3 class tests ahead.

 

A little advice is what I need.

Thank you very much, for doing this honest job trying to help people like me.

[markl1987]

Couple of questions that will help myself and others give you some advice

 

What action did the police take?

Did you go to the police station?

Or were you given an on the spot fine by the police?

 

Try to relax and not let it worry you, you can't change what has happened now so stressing and worrying wont help, Try and focus on your projects and tests, there are plenty of people on here that will advise you and try to help.

 

I'll check back in the morning as will others and try to advise you

[MARTIN3030]

There are procedures that are concerned with visa holders. In fact there have been a few instances in these forums which discuss the process in detail.

Are you tier2 visa classification ?

[gabiapi]

Respond to first Mark:

After giving my details I believe that one of the policeman checked them and despite the threatening they said that I can go home this time.

There was no 'fine' that I needed to pay even though I showed them that I have 18 pounds.

 

Respond to Martin:

As I said, I'm from an EU country so I don't need visa, I can come in UK only with my National Identity Card but for working I do need, an Yellow card emitted by HomeOffice and National Insurance Number, which I do.

[MARTIN3030]

Ok.

There have been lots of new rules and clauses added following reviews by the Home office and UKBA in the last 2 years.

All foreign nationals entering the UK for work or other reasons are expected to comply with UK laws and be upstanding.This has not changed.

I am still trying to find the thread I was talking about as it gives detailed information as to what circumstances deportation would be likely.

I do know that any process needs the Police to submit forms and reports.

RLP cannot have any hand in any decision making,it is not in their brief.

There has been no Court proceedings.

Even if there were it would be a civil matter and not a criminal one.

[markl1987]

I may be wrong or out of place by saying this but if the police are taking not further action then can the OP relax a little and only really have to deal with RLP?

 

As you have said if its just RLP they do not have any hand or play a part in deciding what can happen to the OP's immigration status so hopefully as stated where the OP says the police said she can go home this time it should be the end of it, apart from the usual RLP hassle that OP is likely to receive.

[gabiapi]

I gave a serious and out of the box thinking about the hole situation now that I feel less stressed.

Given the fact that this is my first interaction with police I rely on the fact that I won't get to much of their attention. I try to think in probabilistic terms. It's quite hard to believe that a big percentage of first attempts of shoplifting go to court. If this would be the second attempt than I should be more worried. Event though, given my status as a student and not UK national my chances went up a bit towards a police investigation as I may be considered a more 'unusual' case.

Now I'm wondering if in case of ignoring RLP they might push the police to get in contact with me, as the RLP officer seem to know one of the policemen. I want to avoid being searched by the police either at home or at university.

What's the best thing to do in this situation?

[ScarletPimpernel]

There is no such thing as a 'RLP officer' - you were dealing with a shop security guard. RLP are just a company, with delusions of authority, that sends out speculative invoices.

If the police took no action and did not say they would take any action it's extremely unlikely that they will have any further involvement. So, despite the fact that you confess to being a thief, it seems you have got away with it - but that should not encourage you to do it again. However, the lack of police action does not excuse RLP's attempts to act as a parallel justice system, so you should ignore them.The best way to avoid being searched, or having any other involvement with the police, is to behave yourself when you are a guest in another country.

[gabiapi]

I did learned my lesson by simply finding myself in this shameful situation, and.. who knows, maybe if I would not get caught this time maybe I'd have tried to do it again; considering the hard feeling that I've been through I would certainly not do it again; risking my future for a Primark jacket...

 

"it seems you have got away with it" - What makes you believe that? They have my details. How do I know that they won't take any further action in this case? Just based on the fact that they said they won't take me to the police section at the moment and "the first thing to do is to get a cab and go straight home!"?

I've told them that I live temporary at the address provided and I'll move out in two weeks. The police man said 'we will find you' and seemed very pleased in giving him my phone number.

Now I'm just worried for my friend who leaves here, receiving loads of letters from RLP.

[ScarletPimpernel]

There is always the possibility that, if you commit crime, the police will pursue the matter. Where I live, the police invariably take action against shoplifters; in other areas they may not do so. In general, with shoplifting and where small amounts are concerned, police officers will use discretion and may not take action - as appears to be the case here.There is no need for you to worry about your friend - any letters that arrive addressed to you can simply be forwarded to you, or returned to sender.

[gabiapi]

Hi Martin

Did you find the thread that you were talking about?

 

Thank you

[MARTIN3030]

Thanks for pm about your difficulties with settings.I will check them out.

[gabiapi]

I have received the first letter but despite the fact that the value of the products was about 60 pounds, all they ask for is 140 pounds. Maybe because non of the products were damaged.

[ScarletPimpernel]

RLP's demands are not based upon the value of goods, or indeed any actual losses.

[Zonker]

These civil recovery people prey on people not being clued up on what the law is. In short , no loss , no claim.

[Bandit127]

RLP's demands are not based upon the value of goods, or indeed any actual losses.

According to Uncivil Recovery (CAB) RLP uses the following table to work out how much they demand.

 

[gabiapi]

Hello guys, I've got 3 letters from rlp so far. But now the forth one arrived and is from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service saying that this is a warning which will be recorded into Scottish Criminal History System and if I do not respond to the letter in 28 days I will be treated as having accepted the warning.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Is this a letter and not a photocopy please? And are you able to post up a scan of it without identifing details for us?

 

My best, HB

[dx100uk]

scan the required letters/agreements/sheets - as a picture[jpg] file

don't forget you can use a mobile phone or a digital camera too!!

'

BUT......

ENSURE: remove all pers info inc. barcodes etc using paint program

but leave all figures and dates. {DO NOT USE A BIRO OR PEN]

convert existing PC files to PDF [office has an installable print to PDF option]

..

goto one of the many free online pdf converter websites [http://docupub.com/pdfconvert/]

it would be better to upload a multipage pdf if

you have many images too rather than many single pdfs

.

or if you have PDF as an installed printer drive use that

or use word and save as pdf

try and logically name your file so people know what it is.

i'e Default notice dd-mm-yyyy

.

open a new msg box here

hit go advanced below the msg box

hit manage attachments below that box

hit the add files button on the top right

hit select files, navigate to your file on your pc

hit upload files

.

dx

[citizenB]

We really need to see a copy of this letter in order to be able to advise you better.

[dx100uk]

8.14 However, we also need to bear in mind the current system of procurator fiscal warnings that operates in Scotland. The procurator fiscal can give a formal warning either personally or by letter. The warning proceeds on the basis that a report alleging a specified offence has been submitted to the procurator fiscal; that he or she considers that there is sufficient evidence to justify the taking of proceedings in court against the person concerned; that he or she has decided not to take proceedings in the particular case; but that should a similar report be submitted against the person in future, he or she might well take proceedings in court.

8.15 Such a warning does not require an admission of guilt. Where a warning is given, the Crown relinquishes the right to prosecute. No further criminal proceedings will be taken in respect of the offence, even where the warning takes place in the form of a face-to-face interview. 35 The warning cannot be withdrawn at the insistence of an accused who denies the offence. For that reason, the giving of a warning remains confidential between the accused and the procurator fiscal and will not be disclosed (except in certain limited circumstances to a specialist reporting agency, or in subsequent court proceedings where the subject is raised by the accused or his or her agent). This information is recorded by COPFS, but not by SCRO.

 

 

nothing to worry about

 

dx