To be concerned about how DC was treated by store security?

[MothershipG]

DD was stopped by store security in the mistaken but reasonable belief that she had taken something. They asked her friend to wait outside the store and 2 male security officers took DD, who is 13, to a private room where they asked her to empty her bags.

They behaved perfectly politely and respectfully at all times and when she was able to demonstrate that she hadn't taken anything, they apologised and sent her on her way.

Of course I have no problem with that but AIBU to think that it is not acceptable for 2 adult males to take a juvenile into a private room? I cannot emphasise enough that in this instance they behaved perfectly properly, but surely that is a set up massively open to abuse? Adults in a position of power with potentially vulnerable young people in a private room. And of course the converse situation of troubled youngsters seeing a way to get out of a shop lifting charge by making allegations.

Does anyone know what best practice is/should be in this short of situation?

This thread has made me realise that I have absolutely no idea what rights a child (or adult) has in this situation. A security guard is just a normal employee so presumably has no legal right to detain you but I'm not sure what would happen if you didn't cooperate. Anyone know?
I was actually coming out of Sainsbury's a couple of weeks ago when I set the beeper off. The security guard shouted at me "Oy you! Hold it right there!" I said to him "Did you actually just speak to me like that?" He ignored me and said "let me see your shopping bag". I showed my receipt and said "You are a very rude person. All you had to say was excuse me." He looked like he was shitting his pants that someone was answering back. He seemed like a sad little man who liked throwing his wait around. I've turned into an assertive middle aged woman but if I was a teenager I would have been terrified in that situation so I really feel for the Op's daughter.

I think that I will write to Head Office.

I'm certainly not the kind of person that worries excessively about paedophiles but even I can see this situation is open to abuse from the guards and from the people they stop.

When I told a friend about it who works in children's services she was horrified but I wondered if that is because she is so heavily exposed to the worst cases. But as the feedback on this thread concurs I think it is worth flagging it up higher up the chain.

Lauren as far as I know they only have the right to detain you in a citizens arrest type situation if they have actually seen you take it. If you refuse to empty your bag or such they have to call the police.

I similarly saw a security guard click his fingers and shout oy you at an elderly couple who had set the alarm off the other day. No need.

"If you refuse to empty your bag or such they have to call the police."

But how do they make you wait for the police?

I think that's appalling, very intimidating for a young girl or indeed anyone. Definitely poor practice. I also think there's absolutely nothing wrong with putting something back down in the wrong spot. I do that all the time when I ponder purchases.

I used to be an appropriate adult when people were interviewed by the Police. It works both ways; protects the Police and the person detained. I would absolutely take this further.

All the people on this thread saying that nothing is likely to happen; the precautions are for the worst case scenario. Clearly this wasn't that case. I have a fire alarm, not because I think a fire is likely but because in the unlikely event, I want to be safe.

The guards were pretty daft imo putting themselves in that kind of position. Your daughter could say anything about them and they'll have no comeback because people would just say "well they would stick together" or the old favourite "There's no smoke without fire". They shouldn't have taken her to a room with no CCTV without a female staff member, especially given her age. For their sake as much as your DDs. People really don't think sometimes and I'd be amazed if they'd followed correct procedure.

I think you're right to write to head office and perhaps the manager of that store, stating your concerns, saying what you think should have happened, and asking them to clarify their policy. Perhaps there is also a head of security operations. I don't know much about it.

If I refused to comply with a security guards wishes to accompany him back into the store and refused to wait for the police would I be within my legal rights. Why does anyone comply in this situation?

MothershipG - Can i just say thank you and what an excellent Mother you seem to be. From your first post and through out you have said it was a reasonable stop. You have told your daughter what she did wrong and not tried to say the store acting unreasonable in stopping her. To many people would have been outraged at the stop.

You are asking a legitimate question in a reasonable manner without any unnecessary outrage. I spent some 15 years in retail and if you came into my store set out them matter as you did in your first post i would happily discuss it with you because i knew we could have a sensible conversation.

If I refused to comply with a security guards wishes to accompany him back into the store and refused to wait for the police would I be within my legal rights. Why does anyone comply in this situation?

Reasonable force can be used but of course as soon as it can be shown that the person has committed no crime then the reasonableness of any force at all starts to evaporate.

I agree with you completely op. That's totally inappropriate. I really feel for your Dd, that must have been very upsetting.

So if I refuse to comply to they have the power to make me wait with them whether at the door of the store or in a back room? I hope I don't sound picky but it just concerns me that security guards who aren't that well trained are perceived by most people as having the power to detain you. I'd definitely like to know what are our rights as citizens as I'd like to advise my teenage dc as I think security guards in shops are often scrutinizing young people and misunderstandings can happen.

Thanks honest that's very kind of you.

DD and I have discussed it and we have talked about what she needs to do to not arouse suspicion but that if, heaven forbid! it where to happen again she is to tell them that she will show them the contents of her pockets and bag on the shop floor or they will need to speak to me first.

She is now conducting a one person boycott of Primark because she is too embarrassed to show her face in there she is outraged that they could possibly think she is dodgy, when she's the least dodgy person she knows.