Caught stealing, Boots, RLP, took JSA sign in book off me

[Rhode]

Money has been very tight since I lost my job last Sep. I have been on Job seekers allowance since. I know it's wrong but I was caught stealing today at boots and the man told me that if I told the truth they wouldn't have to call the police. I stole something worth 15 pounds and the man said that RLP will be asking for about 130 from me for civil recovery.

 

When emptying my bags he saw my JSA sign in book, asked if I was signing on and took it off me. Can he do that? What is he going to do with it? Call and tell them? And do you think I'll get it back? As I still need to sign on. I'm very worried that this might lead to a criminal record which would be terrible as I'm trying very hard to look for a job at the moment.

 

I have been reading around the forum and have noticed that some people have been spot fined 80 pounds by the police. So would it actually have been better to get the police involved? Would I definitely have gotten a criminal record if they were involved?

 

Please help.

[Fuzzgin]

I'm sure someone with some practical advice will be along soon. All I can say is, how dare he? Surely no one has the right to take your signing in booklet from you with the possible exception of the DWP and then only for good reason. Whether or not you stole isn't relevant, two wrongs do not make a right.

[Button1]

Money has been very tight since I lost my job last Sep. I have been on Job seekers allowance since. I know it's wrong but I was caught stealing today at boots and the man told me that if I told the truth they wouldn't have to call the police. I stole something worth 15 pounds and the man said that RLP will be asking for about 130 from me for civil recovery.

 

When emptying my bags he saw my JSA sign in book, asked if I was signing on and took it off me. Can he do that? What is he going to do with it? Call and tell them? And do you think I'll get it back? As I still need to sign on. I'm very worried that this might lead to a criminal record which would be terrible as I'm trying very hard to look for a job at the moment.

 

I have been reading around the forum and have noticed that some people have been spot fined 80 pounds by the police. So would it actually have been better to get the police involved? Would I definitely have gotten a criminal record if they were involved?

 

Please help.

 

Rhode, I am sorry to hear about your job situation. Stealing is not the answer though - I hope that you now realise that.

 

The security guard had absolutely no right to take away your Job Centre Allowance book. In effect, he has stolen from you. There is also absolutely no way any third party could "call and tell" the Job Centre of your predicament.

 

You have every right to get the book back - this country has a criminal justice system in place, however, security guards seem to think they are above the law and can dictate their own set of rules. You probably don't want to enter the store again (I presume you have been hit with a banning order anyway??) but someone needs to go on your behalf and retrieve your book.

 

I doubt very much if the police will be involved now - if they were to be involved, the store would have called them at the time of the incident and Boots would have held you until they arrived. It does however, sound like you are aware of the serious and detrimintal affects a criminal record could have on your life. Please let this be a lesson and never put yourself in this situation again.

 

With regards to RLP, you will receive a letter from them, probably requesting you pay around £135. The Citizens Advice Bureau has recently written a report on civil recovery - yes, stealing is wrong, however so is extortion and blackmail!......two things which RLP specialise in!!

 

Stick with this forum for help and advice as to how best to deal with RLP.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Button1

[noomill060]

Call in at the job centre and tell them youve lost your JSA book and they will just give you another one.

[noomill060]

Or -phone the store manager and tell them you want your JSA book back or you will contact the Police yourself...

[Rhode]

If I just told the job centre that I lost the book then it would again be dishonest right?

 

I just... I don't want to tell anyone that this has happened as I'm ashamed to have done it in the first place. I'm just so confused and don't really know how to handle it.

 

I'd be too embarrassed to ring boots up and say, "Oh, I was caught stealing from you but can I have something of mine back?" How would I even start that conversation?

 

And am I going to get a record? Would I be informed if I do and do I have to put that on every application forms from now on?

[labrat]

you would be informed yes as any criminal record has to go through the police

 

however retail loss prevention keep there own database of "dishonest people" (im not getting at you with the quote marks thats there own words) and threaten to pass this to potentional employers weither youve been convicted or not

 

i would really suggest contacting joncris or martin3030 with this as there is a lot going on behind the scenes (which i would love to know about but have way too much of a big mouth to)

 

call boots demand the book back, explain that to confiscate your personal property they would need a court order, ask to see said order

[noomill060]

Also, a JSA book (UB40) is the property of the government (DWP), its not actually the claimant's.

 

Next time you sign on, they will ask why you dont have it. Just go in and say you cant find it and get a new one. You need it to claim.

 

Or demand your book back from Boots. They cant take what isnt theirs.

[Yorky2008]

Report it to the police immediately!!!!

 

There is nothing to stop the guard using it as ID to pretend they are you or selling it onto someone else who will!!!! He has committed theft.

[JonCris]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/retail-loss-prevention/246875-templates-initial-response.html

[drakhan]

Its doubtful wether they will prosecute if the security guy is still there. Report to DWP that benefit book was stolen. Don't go to store to get book back. If security guy still works there don't be intimidated by them. If they got the item back, and he then took your book he in effect stole from you. Find out if they are pressing charges. If they are then report the theft of your book to the police and say to security guy that this is what you are doing. Chances are they will drop any charges because they wouldnt want the publicity. He is trying to frighten you by taking the book because he knows you dont want a criminal record. But question is does he. Wait until finding out what they intend to do before going to DWP.