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!

I have to agree with the posters calling out the ridiculous breast feeding comment. Not everyone is able to and that's not something that they should be shamed for.

Stealing, on the other hand, is.

Why?

Because it's stealing and against the law

It’s too late now of course, but the poster who said it was free is stating a fact. It surprises me that more people don’t breastfeed for that reason alone.

Completely agree. The naiveté of some posters is astounding

Some people don't want to. Some can't, and try, and distress themselves in the process. In theory , sure, it's free, but not everyone can, and beating them up about it doesn't help.

Because for a handful of potential reasons, they can’t?

Absolutely this. Some heartless sods on this thread.

Probably the dumbest comment I’ve read on the internet all year and that really is saying something.

Yes you absolutely can! It’s called relactation, research it 😄

🙄 what if everybody stole? Then what would happen?

I hope you get a criminal record for your actions.

Not if she couldn’t produce it in the first place?

Are people….okay?

I watched a tv programme called something like Britain's Shoplifters and the overall message was if the goods stolen were worth under two hundred pounds, security don't call the police because it isn't worth the hassle of taking people to court or else the police won't do anything about it - not sure which but the cut off was two hundred pounds.

A PP said that Tesco (?) let her go through the self scanners and security stopped her, let her go and she then received a letter in the post for the security fees.
In the TV programme, none of the people caught gave their real names and addresses. In fact most of them pretended they couldn't speak English at all.

I'm saying this because you are so worried about being blacklisted and it might reassure you a little.

I have watched people shopping with self scanners scan every fourth item in Tesco. For people like that, I wouldn't hesitate to report them. For baby food and a cheap moisturiser, I'd walk by thanking my lucky stars that I wasn't in the same position. None of us know what is around the corner and how lives can come tumbling down from bad luck, broken relationships, ill health, unemployment, mental health struggles. I hope you can get some practical help OP. I'd try to go through the proper channels so the baby's father has to pay for his baby regularly. Facebook marketplace might be good for baby equipment and toys etc. You said your family don't know you are struggling. Only you know if they might help but it is worth asking if you think they can at all? You might be reluctant to but if you contact a social worker department, they might advise you about your entitlements and offer support if you're struggling with the baby?

Is the food required to actually make the milk free? No, thought not.

Agree. A close relative of mine works in retail and the theft is unreal. Daily occurrence, multiple times per day. Most of it steal to order, granted, alongside the petty theft (with the manipulative excuses when caught ) like a certain OP and the naive army of 'poor you '/let me send you some cash' tribe.

Sadly they can do very little. Police aren't interested. Prices go up for everyone else and businesses suffer.

It's a very new age thing, seeing all criminals as 'victims'. Sometimes, what they're doing is just plain wrong and there is no excuse. If we let off everyone for committing crimes because we believed a sob story, the country is fooked.

I'm not even judging the OP, humans do stupid stuff. It's more the astounding naiveté of some replies when it comes to theft.

Baby milk for a thrill?
Nobody cares what impression you get. You don't sound a very nice person. Do you know what empathy is?

Bit extreme

Do you know what naiveté is..... ?

Tinned formula powder isn't £34+

The OP has said twice at least that she gets thirty four pounds a month to cover the baby formula. Her baby eats two tins a week. Eight tins of baby formula costs more than thirty four pounds.

To be fair, she explained that she gets a card with £34 on it per month, which doesn't cover the 8 tins she says she needs.

For someone who works in retail and spends my life chasing after shop lifters. Definitely not.

Maybe you should work in retail to see what it's really like?

You are clearly taking the piss on here.

If you get a criminal record, you can kiss goodbye to some employment and travel opportunities.

It is indeed stealing and, as you correctly point out, against the law. I can’t argue with that. But whether something is legal / illegal is a very amoral way to determine whether it’s right or wrong.

“They hang the man and flog the woman
Who steals the goose from off the common,
Yet let the greater villain loose
That steals the common from the goose.”

🙄🙄🙄 thank god not everyone needs to!
if you had no money to feed your child and nobody to turn to what would you do?
i have luckily never been in that position but if I was - I would 100% shoplift.