JJB gave grandsons ipod away.

zaksmum

Thanks so much for that pulliptears. It's really helpful and I'll show it to my son when he gets home. I wouldn't have known that. Thanks again.

Thistledome, thanks. I did suggest to my son that he contacted our local paper but he's a private kind of person and doesn't really like the idea of being in the paper. he's also wary of exposing my grandson to any ridicule from other kids, especially as he's just started at secondary school and finds it a bit daunting, as it does seem in the first few days.

Thanks for the thought though, it's very much appreciated.

patman99

OP, there's nothing stopping you reporting it to the Police on your son's behalf. In fact, it would give JJB less time to destroy the cctv evidence.

Who knows, this woman may be a serial lost goods claimant, and the evidence gained may just take a criminal off the streets.

Judging by how many iPods there are out there, it would make an interesting survey to see how many retailers ask the right questions when asked 'I think my son left his iPod in here earlier on, has it been handed-in?'.

babymoo

Ive only read 3 pages of this and I am already bored. An 11 year old has lost something, who didnt at that age, regardless of how much it cost, £15 or £150, what the woman did was theft, pure and simple. Christ I own an iPod amongst other things that are worth a small fortune and even I at 23 still lose things daily. I just have to hope to God that they are still where I left them. By the same token I have been known to walk around shops pick something up and forget im carrying it and then have to go back into the shop embarrassed and pay for it. Everyone forgets its part of life unfortunately. Should I now not be allowed items over a certain price because I do forget on a daily basis?

It never ceases to amaze me that threads like this turn from someone wanting a little bit of help to a witch hunt and blaming the OP or someone similar for doing something wrong. I hope that the OP manages to get either the iPod back or some kind of compensation from JJB for them giving it away without checking with the woman first. Just another note and I am not sure on this but doesnt an iPod carry personal details, name address etc? I could be wrong as I have no idea how to use them, I can charge it and play the music that is all, but if they do does that not then pose another risk?!

Good luck OP

zaksmum

Thanks patman. I did attempt to discuss it with the police at the station where my son reported it, but they said they would not discuss it with me as I'm not directly involved and for confidentiality reasons.

Thanks babymoo. I don't know if ipods carry such details, but I'll mention that to my son when he gets home at the weekend. It's certainly worth checking. Thanks for your suggestion.

dctetsco

zaksmum,

1. You can make a 'third party report' to police, but they will need it substantiating by the victim before they can progress it. If the victim is under 17 they will need an appropriate adult to be present when giving their report. Make sure they *know* you are reporting it as an adult on behalf of a minor.

2. The cctv in the store may not be available after a specific period of time so I would suggest the victim is available for the report asap.

3. The Theft Act 1986 or The Fraud Act 2006 may apply here, but I believe there is a good case for an investigation to take place. Please do not take no for an answer at the Police station.

4. The Police will be able to submit a request for the alleged offender's details providing their investigation supports a crime having taken place.

5. When you report the circumstances, make sure you make a note of the 'incident log number' or whatever that particular force call their process. Give this to the people who are going to make a statement.

6. Good luck with your quest and I hope that whilst it is a learning experience for the loser of the item, it turns out to be a slightly more positive one than thus far.

7. Whilst it could be argued that the store has/has not done anything legally wrong, I personally would suggest that their 'release of found property' process could be a little tighter on the burden of proof of ownership!

dctetsco.

caspercaz

I left my phone in Marks and Spencers, I had to fill in a detailed form when I collected it and show id. No problem as I was genuine and they had rang me using my phone but all shops should have basic lost property book to record deatils of items found or repoted lost.

Farzackerly

"Civil matter", my backside. It's theft by deception and it only goes to show what kind of useless chair-warming !!!!!! was at the front desk of the police station that day. Fortunately, there are many other police officers who take such things seriously and it's just bad luck to get a chair-warmer.
I don't think much of the store's attitude, although the manager was initally helpful in showing the CCTV footage, so kudos to him.

Tubbss

Hi,

I thought theft was defined as "dishonestly appropriating goods or services belonging to another with the intention of permanantly depriving the owner of said goods or services".

She has clearly been dishonest in obtaining the i-pod. Clearly a police matter!

gordikin

I think the grandson and JJB are not much at fault here...the thieving woman clearly is, along with the police (and this is before they have to make cuts!) for refusing to investigate.

Pollycat

caspercaz wrote: »

I left my phone in Marks and Spencers, I had to fill in a detailed form when I collected it and show id. No problem as I was genuine and they had rang me using my phone but all shops should have basic lost property book to record deatils of items found or repoted lost.

And if JJB had exercised the same care towards lost property handed in, we would not be reading and commenting on this thread - because the thieving scumbag would have been sent off with a well deserved flea in her ear when she 'tried it on' and the ipod would have been returned to its correct owner.