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!

Yes. I’m sorry but you can enter other stores but you cannot steal from any shops again, they will be watching you.

I can go into another boots or I can't?

And anyone suggesting can my family pay for the milk, no they can't, they don't even knownthat I'm struggling

@Beth216 did she? I apologise if so - I've been busy and haven't had time to read later updates so if there is information that makes my comments irrelevant then please discount them!

Are you trying to steal from another boots?

It sounds like it was a choice between baby milk or food… and then thinking ahead to next week when more baby milk or food is needed.

Benefits in this country are not high enough for those out of work. The top up benefits when you’re in work are useful, but when out of work, they simply don’t give enough to live on. That’s just a fact.

Babies and prams etc are used as theft cover exactly because of the "the shop has honed in on an easy target, a single mum with baby"...

Unless you are paying off debt/overpayments (in which you should ask to reduce the amount deducted) or have savings over £6k then you are receiving the wrong amount of UC and need to check it. It should be more than £700.

Standard element £311.68 (more if over 25)
Child element £287.92
Housing element you say is £250 (although if you are private renting the LHA is this low for a 2 bed so you should check this and if you are in council or housing association housing is £250 the whole rent or are you subject to the bedroom tax?)
Total = £849.60

Then child benefit of £25.60 per week.

Stealing food to feed yourself because you have no money left after feeding your baby is one thing. But stealing baby milk (and moisturiser) so you don't have to spend your money is different. Feed your child first and pay your bills. If you run out of money for food after that get a referral to a food bank. Plenty of people get by on just benefits. You need to look into why you can't.

Yeah I'm not liking the direction the OP is trying to take.

OP if you would like help to find out what legal and free help you can access, including how to get your ex to pay up for his own child, start a new thread. You'll get lots of people who want to help you.

What’s did they say when they banned you?

No, just want to know if I'm banned from all boots or just that particular one

Spend the money on formula and then use the money to buy food at a local food pantry. Ours allows you to fill a bag for £5, no questions asked and you can go as often as you want.

While I have sympathy with you I have also been a single unemployed parent and I did not have to steal. I actually found I could survive quite well on U.C so I wonder if you are getting everything you can. I guess C.B at £102 is on top of the £700?

They said just don't return here again, but didn't actually say ALL boots

Op this thought crossed my mind also. It does come across like you’re looking to find out if you can go on the Rob elsewhere. You need to stop now. I hope you understand that.

Why do you want to go into other boots just buy the milk at the supermarket.

It was Boots.

op-mortified at getting caught is your clue.
being subjected to police,criminl charges,potential social services, a shite reputation....when you hd the money is fucking stupid.
fraid its part of the dance.yes its shite being poor all day every day, but there is no shame in that.
call me self riteous if want- i have lived this. i fully understand buying naappies(not milk,i bf)is a chunk out of money every week.i understand that a fiver is lot. and its hard.
please.do not put yourself in a position you risk a crim record,thts potentially life damaging.

😮

Does 'live on' mean all until iTunes are already paid for so £500 is food/clothes etc or do you have bills to pay out of the too?

I'm not justifying the stealing but making a moral judgement on a mother struggling to make ends meet because she is stealing baby milk instead of food for herself is pretty darn low.

@murasaki .nope,i know what i said. fuck off

I'm not trying to bloody steal again from boots, as if I'd be that stupid

Boots is expensive for everything and you can get what they sell in other shops, so you don't need to go back to any Boots store

You'd get more help if you asked to support with budgeting.

It's not clear if the £700 is for 4 weeks food and bills or if it's £700-£250 for tent, leaving you with £450 for food etc.

You should be able to feed yourself and a baby on far less than £100 a week.
What other outgoings do you have?
Do you budget for utility bills, your mobile?
You're clearly able to afford the internet or a phone. I wonder how much they are costing you.