Employment course - Apprehending shoplifters

maninthestreet

getmore4less wrote: »

so whats the problem, YOU don't suspect anyone till they have left the building.

No offence is committed unless they attempt to leave the store with goods they haven't paid for.

vax2002

technically yes an offence can be committed in the store but as the Leeds case the chance of proving it will probably be met with a similar rant as the judgement Morrisons got.

getmore4less

maninthestreet wrote: »

No offence is committed unless they attempt to leave the store with goods they haven't paid for.

Thats the point.

OP believes this, so can comply with the instruction(do nothing untill "suspected somebody was shoplifting") given on the course.

Untill that point they only suspect someone might shoplift so can take other more sensible actions like tell a supervisor and/or alert security

I would want written version of the course if it forms part of the particulars of employment and check it carefully.

bluenoseam

I know at my last place of work we were always told to leave it to security, we used to nab them too right up until one of the LPO's down south got slashed & died, after that we were warned that apprehending them would end in disciplinary, something after that event we weren't willing to challenge!

eyeinthesky

Most of the larger retail outlets will have people authorised and trained to stop shoplifters, e.g., security and management. These stops will only be made once the shoplifter has left without paying, or at least passed the last point of payment. Other shop staff may be permitted to approach suspected shoplifters, and ask if they need a basket or assistance.

Even when someone has been seen concealing something, it is not definite that they are going to steal until they have been seen to leave without paying. Something I have personally witnessed, a young woman picked up a pregnancy test kit, and put it into her handbag. She continued shopping and went to the tills with other goods in a basket. When at the tills, she took the test kit from her handbag, getting the operator to scan it first, then she put it straight back into her bag. Obviously, she didn't want anyone she might know to see her buy it. The lady giving the training to the op, needs some training herself.

On the licence points, if they have been gained without police involvement, then it won't appear on a crb check.

meritaten

Ive worked in retail on and off for forty years and never heard such stupid advice! of course you cannot prove intent to steal unless they leave the shop with the goods - and even then people have got off shoplifting charges on the grounds of absentmindedness, or other things. Large stores have security staff - its NOT up to store staff to 'arrest' customers. security staff are specially trained in this - store staff arent! small stores rely on staff to apprehend shoplifters - but in my experience most staff would watch shoplifters walk out with whatever they want - Do they care enough about the shops profit to possibly get knifed? its not worth it - never confront a shoplifter - your employers profits are NOT worth your life! you notify the boss and your responsibility is over.

ferien_uk2011

Annisele wrote: »

They don't actually have to leave the store to commit the offence. "A person is guilty of theft, if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it" - so, if you pick up Asda's bottle of rum with the intention of walking out without paying for it, you've committed theft. However, it's pretty hard to prove somebody didn't intend to pay when they haven't yet walked out, so stores usually let people leave the premises before they do anything.

I think the key word here is 'permanently'. It's not saying you are guilty of theft if you intend to deprive someone of property, it's referring to someone who has already taken something and doesn't intend to give it back. It probably doesn't really apply to shoplifting as people rarely take things out of shops with the intention of returning them later.



There are more subtle ways of approaching shoplifters without actually accusing them. eg you see a shopper pick up a tie and put it in their bag....you say to them 'Would you like me to help you find a shirt to go with that tie?"......although I have never actually used this technique, but it was suggested to me during a job interview for a retail position.

KevInChester

This was a DWP approved training provider who told me, and 8 others this advice. I was the only one who challenged it, so who knows how many this individual has given it to in the past. I wasn't very impressed before this to be honest as the handouts given to all participants were shoddy in the extreme, we are talking numerous spelling and grammatical errors on every page, contradictory advice, awful layout, randomly changing fonts, text repeated for no reason etc On one page it says "never ask about the salary", and on the next page it suggests good questions to ask: "about the salary". Other gems include (verbatim):

‎"Use your personal profile for strengths, weaknesses ie a bit of a perfectionist, can't relly think of any at the moment, or chocolate"
‎"Never enter a room without an invited"
"Always were comfortable, clean and smart clothes and shoes"

getmore4less

If this is taxpayer funded training I woud be taking this further.
(gives you something constructive to do if unemployed)

KevInChester

Raised some of these issues to the HR Manager of the company and have been ignored. Thought they would take any safeguarding complaints seriously - this course has plenty of vulnerable adults on it that could well follow this advice and therefore come to serious harm.