to disapprove of shoplifting in any store?

[BodenBoredom]

A good friend regularly shoplifts in supermarkets, through the self-serve checkouts. She shows-off about getting all sorts of things, including clothing, home things, garden stuff, toys, DVDs, loads of food and wine etc, past the eyes of the assistants. She said it's easy and it's their fault for never checking her bags.

She says she wouldn't do it in a small shop, but big stores like Tesco can afford it.

She's a female Worral-Thompson! She also thinks that "everybody's" up to it, and that's why supermarkets are losing money through the self-checkouts.

I know that every now and then mistakes are made. I've accidentally not paid for items in the self-serve, but this is different. I think she even plans what she's going to take.

I know the law's on my side, but am I being up-tight in thinking that shoplifting's wrong, even if it's a giant retailer?

I saw someone being led away by the police at our local Tesco's last week when I was going back to the car with my trolley.

No way of knowing whether he'd been arrested for shoplifting or not, but he didn't look at all happy about it...

Oh the shame! And everyone with their mobile phones filming!!

What she's doing is wrong, but if she's a good friend in other ways, don't let this come between you. Finding out a friend is a shoplifter wouldn't be enough of a reason for me to end a friendship.

So how serious a crime does someone have to commit before you no longer want to be friends with that person?

Oh so that is why my shopping costs me more than ever coz people like ur friend are STEALING.

I once picked up a pack of 49p combs and put them onto the hood of my childs pram. Didnt notice until i got home. went back first thing in the morning and paid for them. The lady behind the counter looked at me like i was weird.

I hate shoplifters and i think friend or no friend id inform the store to keep an eye on your friend.

I am loving people saying that the OP should ring the store, as if that will magically solve it!

Quite apart from sounding as mad as a hatful of spoons, how on earth are they supposed to "keep an eye" on the friend without the OP providing a photo etc?!

Be sensible! The best (and only) thing the OP can do is talk to her friend. If the friend chooses not to listen then thats up to her but atleast the OP will know that she tried.

Yes, regular shoplifters get caught in due course. I was writing about it in the 1970s when stores went to self service.

I haven't seen my friend today to speak to her, but I will.

There's no way I'd call the stores. A) they don't know who she is, B) I have no proof that she's been shoplifting and neither, presumably, have they and C) I'd look like an utter prat!

I will tell her what I think and that I think she'll be caught. It might influence her, or it might not. I have no idea. If she continues to shoplift, she'll be caught.

The woman I knew who was caught had to wait at the entrance to the store with the security guards until the police arrived. Then the police walked her through the store. I would hate that. You know damn well the store would be full of people you know.

Security guards can't legally force you to stay. She shoulda left.

Really? You could just walk away? Why don't people do that?

Not that I'm planning to test it out.

Security guard cant touch you, it's common assault. They can't demand you empty your bag either.

I think you're right OP, when you said she's Addicted to it. It's just another form of Obsessive compulsive behaviour. I don't know how you get her to see that, though.

YANBU. Even if you stole from the richest person in the land, it's still wrong.

Security guards can perform a citizen's arrest, though. Any of us can do that.

stealing is wrong, the only time i could justify it if someone stole to eat out of pure despiration.

Not obsessive compulsive disorder, its THEFT.stop making excuses for her behaviour

Actually Kilmuir Kelptomania is a mental disorder, although it probably counts for a tiny percentage of shoplifters it is a genuine problem to some people. I am not saying the OPs friend has it, but some people do.

I rather suspect that she is simply addicted to the adrenalin rush she gets when she has gotten away with pinching something. Perhaps thats why she steals bigger items, as the rush isnt there with little things anymore. Sounds like she needs help.

I set the alarm off leaving Sainsbury's once with a jumper of DD's. The security guard just came over and ripped the tag , didn't check my receipt or anything like that. I have no idea how this stuff works.
Also, I didnt think the weighing happened on either side, I thought it happened when you scanned - you scan a bottle of wine, it expect the weight of a bottle of wine to appear in the bagging area. So I sppose you could have 2 bottles, one cheap and one expensive,a nd just scan the cheap one twice - that sort of thing??

"CremeEggThief Fri 22-Jun-12 13:00:18
What she's doing is wrong, but if she's a good friend in other ways, don't let this come between you. Finding out a friend is a shoplifter wouldn't be enough of a reason for me to end a friendship."

ell with a name like yours we're hardly surprised

not everybody is shoplifting - i'm not! i'm off to asda in a few minutes and i won't be shoplifting there or anywhere else.

Imperial a citizens arrest has been long since done away with under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

I found this also: A person who makes a citizen's arrest could risk exposing him or herself to possible lawsuits or criminal charges ? such as charges of impersonating a police officer, false imprisonment, kidnapping, or wrongful arrest ? if the wrong person is apprehended or a suspect's civil rights are violated. This is especially true when police forces are attempting to determine who an aggressor is.

Good luck with rugby tackling shop lifters and opening their bags!

J J Garland V F W Woolworth - allowed Garland to sue Woolworths for assault (even though Garland had actually stolen chocolate) - legal precedent set I'm afraid.

Can I just get something straight? I can walk into a shop, nick something and walk out and if a security guard tries to grab me, I can wriggle free and tell them they are assaulting me if they touch me. Then run off while they call police?

Yes.

Idiotic isn;t it?