Caught in shoplifting in Waitrose

[Veryregretful9]

Hello,

 

I went to Waitrose, I bought some shopping and did not scan 2honey which worth nearly £7, 5 laxative tablets, 2 bottle of water but scanned the 2 box of blueberries. 

 

When I exit one guy and women in civil clothes came after me and took me back, 

I said I scanned and they said you have not scanned all which was very true.

 I did not pay and I felt so embarrassed very scared!!!

 

I said my brain is upside down, I have an epilepsy and earthquake in Turkey. They said, you should not steal! it is very true! And Each time when I was stealing I was feeling very bad but could not stop!! It was a punishment for me! But I  really do not want this stupid and shameful thing I done, affects my credit history, credit score and criminal record and Cifas record. Because, my credit score is good. and I do not want any negatives.

 

I applied the loan. And I am very scared now. If this affects my credit file, criminal record!!!!

 

They asked proof of id and  took my details, name, address and banned me from Waitrose or John Lewis for life. They did not call the police and they did not call the police and did not take my photo but they said we will get from the CCTV and I'm even more scared

 

I have done stealing many times from that store. Im am very scared.

 

I apologised many times, And said I was not aware, I did not scan please forgive me and do not send me police. They said , you provided your details therefore we will not call the police. It will not affect your criminal record. And I insisted please do not report this this will be very bad. And

 

On the bottom of the letter says 

write to inform you that following an incident at our Stratford.... shop on

09/2/2025ou are no longer permitted to enter Waitrose & Partners shops.

This includes all Waitrose & Partners and John Lewis & Partners shops, or the use of Waitrose and lohn Lewis online or associated services.

Should you attempt to enter our premises you will be asked to leave and if need be, the Police will be called to assist your removal. I hope this will not prove necessary.

 

Please help, I am very anxious!I already have seizures, very depressed for long time. I learnt my lesson! will never do again!!! I lost half of my life in two days!!I cannot sleep, eat, think properly at all!!! Please help!

 

I will look forward hearing any feedback on this matter!

 

Many Thanks in advance!

Please note your details may be shared with Third Parties outside of the John Lewis

 

They gave me back paid 2 box of blueberries and kept the other stuff. I definitely not ever gonna do this thing again!!!

[fkofilee]

Honestly dont worry about it. Nothing will happen - Shoplifting is wrong yes and you need to sort yourself out.. 

IE see your GP for Mental Health Support if thats a factor. 

 

As for being banned - Youll beable to go to other stores in other areas and its likely they wont recognise you. 

Its not the end of the world. 

 

[Veryregretful9]

Hi fkofilee

Hi fkofilee

 

First of all many thanks for your kind and fast response. It gave me some relief!

I am undergoing medication for epilepsy for very long time reason of brain surgeries in the past. And I start receiving mental health support however, I have a break to my neurological disorders . And

 

Since this incident, I start taking again to calm me down and help with my depression I hope it helps. I am very scared, recently applied a post office loan and awaiting their decision and stupid me I have done such a terrible thing!

 

I really hate my self!! I wanted to die asap!

I am very worried if it affects credit score, criminal record now and in the The Disclosure and Barring Service.

The Disclosure and Barring Service, The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS and HM Courts and Tribunals Service and civil matter organisations.

 

Because they say in the bottom of the letter Should you attempt to enter our premises you will be asked to leave and if need be, the Police will be called to assist your removal. I hope this will not prove necessary.

Please note your details may be shared with Third Parties outside of the John Lewis

 

I am terrified!! I will never ever do such thing and will not go any John Lewis and Waitrose shop!

 

If they send a fine I will pay I hope they do not however, if they do, to prevent further problems and my credit score, to protect myself from criminal record DBS,

I will definitely pay the fine. Many thanks again for advance feedback

Many thanks again for advance feedback

[dx100uk]

woe slow down horsey!!

 

no-one can nor will fine you ...the police were not and now cannot.... be involved.

 

it cannot hurt your credit file , your loan, any disclosures or alike, you do not nor can you have any marker anywhere following this incident...

what happens now going forward is ALL a scam!!

 

you'll get scary letters from either dwf or rlp spouting of some crap and civil restoration twaddle IGNORE THEN BIN THE LETTERS.

 

can i suggest you pop alone and see your mental health team?

tell them what has gone on .

 

you really should not be stressing out about earthquakes and 

[Veryregretful9]

Hi dx100uk!

 

Many Thanks for your soothing message, made me feel better!

 

I am terribly sorry for my late response!!! Reason of what’s happening in Turkey! Helped my tension to drop down a bit.Many many big thank you!!!

 

From now on I hope I do not receive any letters. However, if I do get a letter from DWF I will post here first for advice rather than making immediate payment as I originally planned.

 

After reading some threads about these types of claims I feel a more reassured that I don't "HAVE" to pay and can put up a fight.

 

Although I am still worried about any repercussions if I do that.

 

I already paid for two box of blueberries and left the other stuff. But I did not get the paper receipt, because I never get the paper receipt in the self-check out.

 

Can they now insult me to steal everything although, I gave unpaid items back. And they are all saleable condition.

 

All I have now is proof of bank statement for Waitrose nothing else.Because, I did not printout the receipt on the self-check out.

 

Can I ask about RLP and DWF, for those people that do make the requested payment, who actually gets the money?

 

It is the supermarket ultimately?

Is that why they pursue Civil Recovery via these types of companies?

Or does the retailer and RLP/DWF split any money that people pay?

 

And If I refuse to pay money to  RLP/DWF, can they take legal action towards me?

 

Also what are the chances of me being pursued by DWF?

 

Is it a bit hit and miss/luck of the draw as to they come after or is it pretty much guaranteed that places like Waitrose / John Lewis and all retailers pass on my details as standard policy?

 

Also, Now I am very scared to go into Westfield Stratford city shopping centre and the Stratford underground station because of what’s happened in Waitrose.

 

Because, Waitrose in the Stratford shopping centre if they informed and shared the incident  CCTV images with the shopping centre security guards, now I cannot go into any shops in the shopping centre!!!

 

And Again, Many Thanks in advance to you and everyone if you have answers these questions above!

 

Best regards

[honeybee13]

dx doesn't seem to be around atm, I expect he'll turn up later.

 

My understanding is that firms like RLP split any 'penalties' they get with the retailer but keep something like 80%, I can't remember exactly how much.

 

Only the retailer can take court action, Waitrose in your case. DWF can recommend this but Waitrose don't have to agree. There was a case a while back 'The Oxford Case' where RLP persuaded a retailer to go to court and it went badly wrong. I haven't heard of another one since. There's a thread on it here somewhere.

 

HB

[honeybee13]

Here's a link to the Oxford case thread.

 

 

HB

[Veryregretful9]

Hi Honeybee13!

 

Thank you so much for your informative e-mail. It's very helpful.

 

 I can use Stratford underground station and I can go other shops in Stratford Westfield Shopping centre.

 

The security guards have no authority to stop me to travel from Stratford underground station and shop from other stores. I will never shop from Waitrose and Joh Lewis.

 

I clearly understood. However, I am still worried, I hope they do not send any fees for £20 unpaid items and they were on saleable condition. And I did not spend civil security time in Waitrose store.

 

They called me when I exit the store, and asked me to come in and follow them, if I do not they said they will call police.

 

I rejected first, but then decided to follow them when they said, if I do not this will lead to criminal record.

 

And In the back office, they checked my details and took my address by checking bank statement on my mobile banking.

 

They did not ask for Date of birth. But they have my name and address on the letter.

 

All, I pray now I hope they do not send me huge fine! or they never fine me! It would me my paradise!

 

Thank you again for your kind response to my questions above. wish you all the best!

 

Best Regards

[honeybee13]

It's not a fine, only a court can do that and you haven't been anywhere near court.

 

You may get letters that are designed to frighten you, but that's how they get some people to pay. If you're worried about any letter that might arrive, come back here and we'll talk you through it.

 

HB

[Veryregretful9]

Hi HoneyBee13!

 

Thanks again! I will definitely, share the letter(s), I may receive, will share with you all here! 

 

All the best!

 

Best regards