accused of shoplifitng

willa

ben500 wrote: »

I assure you they do, and do so frequently I have witnessed at least four episodes of Tesco staff swarming a victim, I am knowledgable of three seperate cases two of which are currently going through the settling process as MrT's sphinctre reverberates due to looming litigation.

I've lost the plot of this thread now but :rotfl:at above.

ben500

If I was a shoplifter using a magnet to remove security tags it would be a wise move to separate myself from the magnet once the tag has been removed, I could for example give it to my companion, thus when challenged with the stolen item in my possession I could argue it was purchased previously and was being kept in my pocket for safe keeping.

If I got challenged then hopefully my partner would be sensible enough to vacate the area with the incriminating evidence {the magnet} thus leaving me to challenge the store as to how my copy of the game did not have a security device fitted when all their products did.

If I was the companion and witnessed it "coming on top" for my accomplice I might also think it a good idea to get rid of the magnet if I myself got approached.

However I am not a shoplifter, I do not carry magnets on my journeys to supermarkets and my partner would certainly not participate in such activity if I was so inclined, nor would she be dull enough to hang around to seal my fate if I got caught.

Thieves will often try to front it out when rumbled and often may well need restraining in such circumstances, however the actions of Tesco tend to pre-empt this rather than waiting for it to occur they actually create the situation with their swarming technique as frequently it will result in fear, flight or fight from someone who has mistakenly been identified as a thief.

One day it is going to result in serious maybe even fatal consequences for either store staff or a member of the public, Tesco personel are NOT law enforcers or upholders and are certainly not equipped with the knowledge, skills and judgement required to fulfill the role.

It's not a practice employed by other supermarkets.

The vast majority of people would find it difficult to maintain their wits when surrounded by up to fifteen male members of staff who have suddenly burst out of every nook and cranny, in the knowledge that innocent or not every last one of the customers in the store who happen to be witnessing the event will have convicted and sentenced them based on the scene that is unfolding before their eyes.
In the event the victim is innocent they'll most likely receive humble apologies some gift vouchers maybe even a bunch of flowers,this of course all away from the attention of the previously viewing public.
The stigma cast on an individual in this way does not disappear overnight and cannot be undone, some of those witnesses will see them in future and regard them as a thief, the victim of course will always or at least for the forseeable future walk in public wondering who has them marked down as a thief.

The staff themselves will display a pack like mentality and a high visual display of bravado, some even openly amused by such situations, for them it's a bit of fun and excitement, a little diversion from an otherwise mundane working day, what they don't understand is they are being exploited and encouraged by their upline to expose themselves to great risk, for anybody who has not witnessed one of these events I assure you they can be quite spectacular in nature.

Stephb1986_2

I think your all being a bit tight to the OP he didn't know his partner was shop lifting. I am suprised that he isn't mad at his partner though because if my partner was shoplifting I would beat him into next week.

Steph xx

Esqui

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I if my partner was shoplifting I would beat him into next week.

Save yourself the effort, get Tesco to do it

hothothot_3

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I went to sainsburys yesterday bought nearly £40 worth of stuff went to the self check out used the chip and pin machine it machine told me to take my card out, once I had entered my pin and then the machine didn't give me a receipt so I left the store got half way across the car park when a security guard stopped me and asked to see my receipt I told him that the machine didn't give me one and so he told me to go back into the store (I had dog food without a trolley so it was heavy) I went back into the store where I was accused of attempting to steal the goods and was told to pay again and if it had took the payment twice to come back with my receipt.

I was totally embarrased as on a Sunday afternoon it was rather busy and all the other customers were staring at me. I checked the bank today and guess what! They have only charged me twice should I go back in and accuse them of stealing my money? It's not my fault that they can't be bothered to employ someone to work on the self check out or if they are there they are too busy having a chin wag with another worker.

I have never been so embarrased in all of my life!

Extortion is a pretty serious criminal offence too. Did they tell you what they would do to you if you refused to pay again?

I would have in your situation just kept walking out the store, you do not even have to talk to any security person, they cannot stop you or demand anything from you. The minute they place hands on you they have opened up a whole world of problems - for themselves. How it works in retail security, is people presume that security have special powers - not even the police have certain special powers above what any other citizen has - it is all operated on bluffing.

ben500

hothothot wrote: »

Extortion is a pretty serious criminal offence too. Did they tell you what they would do to you if you refused to pay again?

I would have in your situation just kept walking out the store, you do not even have to talk to any security person, they cannot stop you or demand anything from you. The minute they place hands on you they have opened up a whole world of problems - for themselves. How it works in retail security, is people presume that security have special powers - not even the police have certain special powers above what any other citizen has - it is all operated on bluffing.

I'm sure you would, but then you would from what I can gather be acting an informed basis in the confident knowledge of your rights in such a situation, but as you point out yourself the vast majority of consumers are confused as to the role of a security person and even more confused as to the extent of that persons powers.
The security themselves rely on the fact that the 40% or so of people they wrongly accost are so releived to get out of such a situation they seldom follow up with complaints or litigation.
Complaints made directly to the company are flushed through quickly with a sorry set of gift criteria and apologies and most will just accept this rather than face the prospect of pursuing litigation. For example one of the cases mentioned in my earlier post commenced in in early 2008 and is only now approaching final stages. A lot of effort and time has had to be put in not only by those preparing but by the victim themselves, very few people actually see the process through and generally if they are lucky will end up accepting a paultry out of court settlement rather than continue.

ben500

Esqui wrote: »

Save yourself the effort, get Tesco to do it

Have to confess to having more than one giggle at this post, numerous to be honest.

DCFC79

Fridge3 wrote: »

No, I think you've mis interpreted Mrkringles bad English.

Because he and wifey are theives they have been locked up and questioned for 6 hours and released on bail until 29/1/10, at which point the magistrate will hopefully pass sentence for shoplifting, enhanced for being such muppets.

ah i see, yes it makes sense now

AsknAnswer

carolinosourus wrote: »

Why couldn't the store staff have been making a citizen's arrest? They're perfectly entitled to do that!

When, and only when the arrest is made in accordance with the law. Regardless of the OP having the magnet, unless he was actually witnessed by the person who was "arresting" of comminting an indictable offence, no-one has the right to make an "any person arrest". In order to make an any person arrest, you have to have witnessed a crime which is indictable or know beyond doubt that the suspect is guilty.

I'm in agreement with the consensus that this is a wind up, but in any case if what happened, happened exactly the way the OP described it, the "citizen's arrest" was unlawful and he would also have a case for assault.

drew2k9

this has brightened up my last two days, nothing short of a cross between a crime drama and youve been framed (excuse the pun!)