RLP and Primark threats

[Elissa]

Hi there, I did a VERY STUPID last week, I was caught for shoplifting. Not sure how much value, they wouldn't tell me, however, I paid about 100pounds for some goods and put the rest, without thinking in my bag without paying. Stupid. A not in a good frame of mind but have learnt my lesson.

 

 

Anyway, once I had walked out of the store, security grabbed my bag, yanked me back in and marched me into their offices and proceeded to yell at me and talk to me very forcefully. I am an anorexic 35 year old girl who is very fragile, I apologised and offed to pay for what had absent-mindedly but in my bag I admitted that I says in a daze. They went through my receipt for the things I had paid for and told me that because I had no ID on me (am here from another country visiting and never carry my passport or credit cards) that they were going to call the police.

 

I pleaded that they do not do that, I didn't want my fiancée and his family finding out. And after 20 mins of treating me like a piece of poo (maybe I deserved it), they told me that if I could call someone to verify my name, Overseas address and date of birth, they would not call the police.

 

I did this, called my fiancée lied to him about why i needed him to verify who I was.. After this, they handed me a letter and told me that RLP would be in contact in a few weeks with a fine that I HAD to pay. I was told if I do not pay, RLP will take me to court, speak to the police and contact immigration so that when I return exit year into the UK, I will be detained. Will this happen? Is this possible - can RLP take me to court if I live in another country?

 

Do RLP have links with UK immigration? Also, I know you may tell me to ignore, but my partner is British and we come back here every year to see his family, so it's not a case of not my country, not my problem - one day I will need to apply for British citizenship.

 

The security at Primark told me that if I do not pay the fine, their CCTV footage of me shoplifting will be kept to prosecute me.

 

Help. Am so stressed, I feel sick and embarrassed

Edited September 4, 2013 by citizenB
Deidentify myself a little...

[ploddertom]

Moved to Retail Loss Prevention/Shoplifting Forum

[ploddertom]

Until those better versed in this than me have a read of some of the other threads about RLP at http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?236-Retail-loss-Prevention-Other-shoplifting-allegations. You should soon get a flavour of the tricks they get up to and the possible tales you have been told today.

[Elissa]

]

Ta, have read a few RLP posts on this site... Am thinking of ignoring however really worried if next year I am detained at the airport...my life would be over. Just want to now how much power they have to take things further in my case...

Edited September 3, 2013 by Elissa
Clarify

[renegadeimp]

Why would you be detained? The police werent involved and rlp cannot do anything to you. They are a private company and NOTHING to do with the uk legal system.

[silverfox1961]

Hi

I have been doing a search on Primark and court cases and the only one(s) I can find are where the police (and the cps) prosecuted. These were done at a magistrates court, not a county court.

This says to me that Primark are loathe to chase anyone through the civil courts and as such RLP can do nothing apart from send the begging letters. They do get more threatening but that is what they are designed to do to the people with a lack of knowledge (you)

 

Only cases reported to the police and actioned by them would appear on any database so you have no worries about leaving and returning to the country.

[2Grumpy]

Anyway, once I had walked out of the store, security grabbed my bag, yanked me back in and marched me into their offices and proceeded to yell at me and talk to me very forcefully.

 

Depending on what exactly happened, This might amount to assault, maybe an unlawful search etc. Primark won't be thinking of making any court action, certainly not making any use of the video footage

[Elissa]

Thanks everyone for your advice and info

[silverfox1961]

Any further updates on this?