shoplifting

[TheRedFinch]

a few days ago my friends and I were in a clothes shop (not saying which one but a major retailer), and I tried on a necklace in front of the mirrors they have in the accessories section. Then I picked out an outfit, tried it out in the fitting rooms, bought the outfit and left. The beeper didn't go off but I accidentally left my original necklace there and was still wearing the necklace from the store. the necklace was 3-4£ I think. This was a genuine mistake and I'm worried they will be able to look at the cctv footage, see me trying on the necklace and track my card down from the purchase I made. When I returned, I saw the original necklace I left there was gone, presumably taken by a store employee and I think they probably realised their necklace had been taken. I panicked and just left. What is going to happen to me? will the police get involved? will i get a fine? I threw the necklace away but should I have just returned it?

if there is no evidence of me leaving the store with their goods can they technically do anything?

im not under 18 btw

please help

thank you

Nothing is going to happen, not a single shop worker on the world has the time or inclination to watch hours of cctv footage for a 4 quid necklace. They probably don’t even know it’s gone.

You should have taken the necklace back, mistakes happen, hopefully they wouldn’t take it any further, but as you don’t have the necklace anymore, you could go back and pay for it or they should let you off. My parents walked out of a supermarket once with a whole trolley full of food, it wasn’t until they got to the car, they realised they hadn’t paid, so went back in and paid. I must admit I’ve got home from shopping and found small items like a toothbrush that I’ve forgotten to pay for.

Totally agree that if you're worried take the necklace back and explain the situation. If you return it, that totally absolves you of any claim of theft (as legally speaking theft requires the intention of permanently depriving the owner of their property).

Why did you not just go back and explain what had happened?

You went back. Your necklace was gone. I’d have found an assistant and told them what happened. Then you might have gotten your necklace back.

I'd just explain, ask if they have my necklace and then pay the £4 for the one I accidentally took.

why did you throw the necklace away???

, presumably taken by a store employee

why is this more likely than it being taken by the next or another customer?

my friends that were with me told me not to rat myself out as there is a possibility they didn't even notice and by turning myself in, they would have rights to press charges and escalate. I threw it away because it was bugging my conscience and i just wanted to get rid of it. I would go back and explain this but I'm being told to not go back to the store for a while now and just let things blow over.
what are the chances they'll call me back in or send me a postal fine?

The store cannot call you back in or fine you. Shoplifting is not an offence where fixed penalties can be used, so any fine would come through the courts.

It is highly unlikely you will be prosecuted over this. However, the advice from your "friends" has made things worse. If you had gone back to pay, the store would not have been able to press charges - that isn't their decision. They could have reported the matter to the police, but it is highly unlikely anything would have happened due to the fact you had gone back to try and pay. The fact you didn't go back and have now thrown the necklace away puts you in a much weaker position, but it is still highly unlikely anything will happen over a £4 necklace.