I got caught shoplifting

[RoseBiscuitll]

I really didn't know what topic to choose for this

I'm mortified, I got caught shoplifting in boots today, I was stealing baby milk and a facial moisturiser. I'm so ashamed of myself. It was in the city center aswell. They didn't call police but they took my details, took a picture and told me I can't return to the store again

Will this picture and my details go around to the other shops near by or will it just go to the other boots shops.

I can't believe I was stupid enough to do this! I'm so embarrassed and also feel really guiltily!

Make an appointment with the CAB and go and chat. You haven’t given us all the details yet you say you are claiming everything you can but that may not be the case. Get someone to look into everything, there may be more opportunities out there

Many moons ago, I used to work for a company that took out civil cases against shoplifters and staff who stole from retail employees. At the time (nearly 20 years ago), Boots was one of the biggest clients.

Did the Loss Prevention staff give you any paperwork OP?

What? The CAB aren't going to give a shit about this.

The CAB will help you go through your finances and pinpoint where you may be able to claim for things you aren’t currently claiming for.

Thats literally what they do? I know because I’ve used them for support.

That's why you need to apply for ( discretionary) housing benefit

Oh I see.... Just wondered, as I thought HB paid all the rent. Never had housing benefit so I didn't know.

@RoseBiscuitll https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

A lot of shops share information so Boots have probably shared the photo around several shops in the area.

Also, you might find Boots staff send a safeguarding referral to Social Work if they are concerned you can't afford to feed your baby.

I think @RoseBiscuitll should be credited with how open and honest she has been on this thread.

What is different this month compared to last month when you could afford to feed your baby?

I didn't get taken to a room or told to sign anything

I was followed out the shop, they took the stuff off me, took my picture, took my name and told me not to return

Had to buy the baby a bigger cot, as she's out grown her next to me crib

That set me back £120

And yes 120 was one of the cheaper ones I could find

If you earn less than me, I’d do what I could to help you if you turned up at my door, but I think you may be being a bit disingenuous. Even a highly paid worker (which I most certainly am not!) is in no way equivalent to a multinational company, keeping pay down and prices up, so it can hand out millions to directors and shareholders.

Thankyou !xx

The other option is follow on milk. It is cheaper and you get offers on it. Not ideal but better than stealing.

You do realise this is an anonymous forum right? Being honest anonymously isn’t really a difficult thing.

I really hope this has given u a wake up call OP. Facial moisturiser isn't essential so I cannot agree that this was a desperate measure on your part. Is this the first time u have shoplifted? U don't need to answer on the forum but the problem is that people get away with it and eventually get caught. If u get prosecuted, that is a criminal charge. Wake up and smell the coffee

You can’t be serious with these posts, stealing is illegal, what silly comments they make loadsa money so you go on the rob girl.

sigh,

Wow!

"You're getting a hard time partly because you are clearly unwilling to be totally upfront about your income and what your essential outgoings are."

It was first time yes

Apart from when I was a child and stole sweets.. which my mum took me straight back into the shop with the sweets lol

While I don't condone theft it does make me laugh that Boots is considered a victim here. Yes Boots, which monopolises British pharmacies and pays virtually no tax in this country.

@RoseBiscuitll worth looking for things like furniture on Facebook marketplace, you could definitely find a cot on there for a lot less. Obviously no longer in need of a cot, but have a look on there for anything you need like that (or clothes etc) in future

Stop being idiotic. How do you know she will be better off? Do you know her qualifications? Her work experience? What kind of job and what kind of pay it would be?

You have no idea about her other circumstances either.
Go back to reading your Daily Mail.

This is such nonsense as you would condone looting on that basis.

Because that's how Housing Benefit works. It doesn't always pay the full cost of rent.