Real-life MMD: I saw a homeless man steal food - should I have reported it?

Moneygrabber24

First I would confront the guy and tell him that I saw what he did and give him the option to take the stolen goods back, if he refused and left I would report him there and then...theft is a crime no matter who does it, a homeless person or a millionaire. By seeing what he did and letting him get away with it you are actually encouraging theft.
If the guy agreed to return the goods and owned up and it seemed he was homeless and had no money, I would certainly purchase the food for him. Like others have said, a little kindness goes a long way. we're all going to leave this earth someday, do you're best to help others out if you have the means to.:)

Declan1123

preable wrote: »

I would report him. Theft is theft

Even if this man is homeless there is no need for theft. Just because Pret A Manger is a relatively big corporation why does it have to be the target of crime?

Maat

You did right not to report the guy. It sounds as though he's in enough trouble as it is and if you're desperate enough to steal food you really need the break - assuming that that is really what you saw happen.

I'm in dire financial straits myself and I'd happily pay a few more pence on my food for the sake of those who are desperate enough to steal. What am I talking about - I already do, we all do.

silkcutblue

pivotalgubbins wrote: »

My question is this - do MSE feel obliged to run this feature? My view is that if a 'dilemma' is as rubbish as this then it really doesn't need to be in the newsletter (which is otherwise filled with good content). This isn't a one-off though, I can't remember the last one that didn't make me sigh!

Drop, replace or rest this please MSE! :money:

Totally agree. I feel like this is a Daily Mail bit of the newsletter every week.

Ken68

Surely this MMD is appropriate.
Helping out the less fortunate at Xmas should be part of life.

alanwrigg

I thought that there WAS a legal duty to report a crime. However, I live and learn. This is what the CPS website says:
"If you witness a crime you have a vital role to play in bringing the criminals to justice. You may well be feeling upset and have doubts about reporting what you have seen. There is no legal obligation to contact the police, but the information you give them could bring a criminal to justice. Reporting the crime to the police could prevent further crimes being committed and protect others from becoming victims."

What the criminal wears and the circumstances are irrelevant ? It is down to your moral code. If you let others steal then it won't be long before you are stolen from- in my humble opinion.

Jurassic_spark_2

If i thought i saw something like that, but i wasn't quite sure. I would keep my trap shut. If you had got involved, and some over zealous jobsworth decided to involve the old bill. Without getting their facts right. You could end up destroying an innocent mans reputation, and his chances of ever getting out of the sad situation that he finds himself having to endure.

A previous employer of mine got someone in the company to lie about me, and put me out of work for over a year. I had a young family at the time. I was very lucky because i had many friends who rallied round and helped me back into work. For which i am most grateful. He may not be so fortunate.

toontron

No, I wouldn't report it.

reluctantworkingmum

It is Xmas - It is bitterly cold - and your conscience was 'tested' because you thought you saw someone who was going to sleep in a doorway that night steal some overpriced food to eat? If your conscience was tested why didn’t mollify it by paying it for him before you went home to your nice warm centrally heated house?

ronangel

This actually happened to me in a subway store I am regular at. Guy came in looked at me put packet of crisps under his jacket. looked more of a drug addict than homeless but how would I know. Manager came back from rear of shop and asked man what his order would be. man made excuse and left. I told manager after man left and explained if I had said something he could have done damage or attacked me or manager.so manager agreed better to have said nothing and it was all on CCTV so if man came in again staff were told to watch for him and ask him to leave.