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

Edwardia

You think you saw a homeless man steal. First off, I've seen photos of Robert Pattinson in head to toe ripped designer gear looking like a hobo in £400 jeans, so the man may not have been homeless.

You think you saw him steal food but you're not sure.

To all those people saying well if I was in Pret and saw someone steal something I wouldn't mention it, make him a violent drunk or schizo, put him there a second time and ask yourself how many favours are you doing him or other customers ?

If we don't report crime or violence we get the crime-ridden violent society we deserve.

miriamm

I think there are 2 separate not-very-dilemmary dilemmas here:

1. The alleged shoplifting. You think you might have seen...you don't actually know. Even if you reported it, you can't give any reliable evidence that any crime has actually been committed, so nothing would happen. Leave it alone.

2. The possibility the alleged perpetrator was forced to steal out of need, and whether that should make any difference. You think he might be homeless...you don't actually know...but let's say he is. Whether it makes any difference entirely depends on your personal moral compass. It would make a difference to me. If there was a way of offering to buy him a meal instead of him stealing it, I would.

There is very little help out there for single homeless men, or women for that matter, and it's getting less all the time thanks to cuts etc. The idea that all homeless people need to do is mosey along to their nearest council or hostel to get the help they need to sort out their lives is sadly really wide of the truth, as is the idea that there's plenty of affordable accommodation available to people on very low incomes. Homelessness can and does happen to anyone, all it takes is a job loss, a bout of ill health, a relationship breakdown, or just the inability to get the money together for a deposit and a month's rent in advance.

I don't think anyone can say they definitely wouldn't ever steal food to survive unless they have been in that situation - and one day, you just might be.

Happy New Year, anyway!

eldo

If anyone is responsible for the inflated prices of food, it is the companies themselves! One person, homeless or not, stealing a salad, compared to the skip-loads of food discarded at the end of each day, then covered in blue dye to make the food inedible, I know who I think are the real criminals!

ronangel

eldo wrote: »

If anyone is responsible for the inflated prices of food, it is the companies themselves! One person, homeless or not, stealing a salad, compared to the skip-loads of food discarded at the end of each day, then covered in blue dye to make the food inedible, I know who I think are the real criminals!

Any shop manager and a boss who orders it, that covers food in blue dye before throwing out should be made to eat it!
Throw it out as cant sell by law, but to prevent a hungry person from eating is beyond belief.
Once off his premises in a dustbin or skip in street no longer his responsibility, hopefully if he does this than one day will be in the same position as the people he deprives it of.

lorny

I find it quite sad that Pret a Manger has been used. They are a company that regards social responsibility quite highly and in particular donate a great deal of money to charities, specifically homeless ones.

ronangel

lorny wrote: »

I find it quite sad that Pret a Manger has been used. They are a company that regards social responsibility quite highly and in particular donate a great deal of money to charities, specifically homeless ones.

Well maybe they should arrange for one of their charities to collect left over food half to one hour before it expires every day. or when shop closes whichever earlier. this goes for other companies as well.

First_Trouble

I wouldn't have reported it. Pret give away all their unsold food to the homeless shelters after closing anyway. Although unless the height of summer you would expect him to walk away with something more substantial than a salad but it might have been the nearest thing he could grab.