perceived stealing at ASDA - using my own bags during shopping

[PhosenB]

Hi guys,

Thanks to DX100UK and silverfox1961.

I just read lots of your replies for each question, which is really useful.

I shopped at ASDA today, I hadn't shopped there in months before. 

I put what I was going to buy into my own bag during my shopping trip today to check if my bag was big enough to hold everything.

Since it was raining outside, I didn't really want to carry another bag.

It's a really huge bag and I didn't colse it, everyone can see it.

I just buy the food, that I need for the next week, cause my freezer is empty

. I didn't buy any thing expensive.

While I was still in the process of picking out my food, I was taken to the small room by the security guard and accused of theft. And I didn't even go to the cashier.

My bag is open and has nothing else but food. I was very polite and respectful throughout the process, I explained to them but they just threatened me for stealing.

They recorded my ID, name and address and warned me that I couldn't go to ASDA again.

I'm very depressed and scared. To be honest, I didn't go to ASDA for severel month, I never ever stolen anything in ASDA. They said some words that discriminate against Chinese. They didn't call the police and said to me, I will received a fine from ASDA.

According to this website, I think maybe the fine is from DWF. But I haven't received it, because it just happened.

Should I just ignore the following DWF letters and never put anything in my own bag during shopping?

I will throw the bag and never bring a bag to shopping again.

Thanks in advance, I will let you know once I get the DWF letter.

Finally, I want to check that nothing else will happen?

It's the first time this has happened to me, and it will be the last time.

Sincerely.

 

 

[dx100uk]

its not a FINE, be very very clear on that.

only a magistrates court can fine anyone and asda nor DWF or whomever, have zero power to do so nor now refer it to the police then to CPS to do so. they are and will not be remotely interested.

its quite a region thing using your own bags, where i am, everyone does that , and no-one bats an eyelid.

forget it 

go get on with your life.

dx

 

[PhosenB]

Thanks a lot! Totally understand!

Wish you all the best.

[whitelist]

Have some concerns with this.

Retail security cannot just pull you off the shop floor in the middle of your shopping, detain you in a back room and take your details on an assumption you might be stealing.

 

If this was me would be writing a formal complaint to ASDA head office for unlawful detention, data protection issues and request personal details recorded be destroyed.

You will probably get some sort of voucher out of it as well

[PhosenB]

I will try it, thanks. I just find they took my umbrella and didn't return it to me.

[Nicky Boy]

If you write a letter, post it up here for the team to review and make any suggestions.

16 minutes ago, PhosenB said:

I just find they took my umbrella and didn't return it to me.

Put that in your letter.

Also, you didn't really make it clear... Did they allow you to pay for your shopping, or just confiscate it?

Did they give you any paperwork to take away?

[PhosenB]

Sorry for that, I will make it clear now.

Yesterday, I was still looking for food, then a woman staff come to me and ask me not to put anything in my bag.

All the stuffs in the bag and out of the bag must be paid now.

She ask me to pay for it at cashier, then the security came and they didn't agree, they yell at me and take me to a dark house.

Besides, they went through my bag without my permission.

My umbrella was in the bag too.

They took it and didn't give it back.

They checked the CCTV, but  everything I had was in my bag or outside of my bag, I didn't have it in my pocket or anywhere else, they can't say I stealing something.

Finally, they just told me, never came here again and wrote down my address and personal information.

They took a photo of me and say there will be "fine" from ASDA (Now I know it's impossible and ridiculous).

I didn't sgin anything on any profile.

Thanks

[dx100uk]

i would not be writing any such letter.

if they believed you were attempting to shop lift, even if you were not, they are quite entitled to detain and ask you questions. though the umbrella is another matter.

now if you want to write upon how you were treated , then fair dues. but be careful about stating they had no rights to do that at all. 

you are within their private property, if they wanted to make all shoppers to jump on one leg only whilst they shop, they could. 

[whitelist]

Only the police have the authority to detain an individual.

A normal citizen can detain under s.24 Police and Criminal Evidence Act Act until a Police Constable becomes available and reasonable grounds an indictable offence has been committed.

A person is guilty of theft if they dishonestly appropriate property belonging to another and with the intention to permanently deprive.

Retail Security as part of SIA Training mitigate civil action for wrongful arrest and detention with S.C.O.N.E

Selection

concealment

Opportunity

Non Payment

Exit without paying

If none of these have been followed then the OP needs to speak to a solicitor for possible civil redress.

Retail security can request you8 accompany them into a back room but cannot insist without firm evidence an offence has been committed. 

Retail security now follow the acronym ASCONE

Approach

Selection

Conceal or carry

Unbroken Observation

Non Payment

Exit

Edited March 1 by whitelist

[dx100uk]

not relevant to the OP post

please go try and score browny points on another thread.

dx