Post by pchallinor on Dec 10, 2010 16:32:17 GMT
High street names including Boots, TK Maxx, Tesco and Debenhams are employing private security firms who have demanded more than £100 from people accused of shoplifting goods worth a few pounds without proper legal authority, according to Citizens Advice.
In 67% of 300 cases analysed, the goods were worth less than £20, and in 79% of cases they were recovered in store for resale – but the average demand was £147.69 including the costs of "dealing with the incident" as well as the goods stolen.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "It would appear that the principal beneficiaries, in cases of low-value alleged theft, are the agents. They collectively profit by millions of pounds but have no obvious interest in a reduction of retail crime.
"In some cases, the alleged offence appears to have been no more than an innocent mistake or the result of confusion or genuine error when using a self-service checkout."
Its report says many of those targeted are vulnerable. One in four of the 300 cases involved teenagers, the majority of which were under 17.
Demands against the elderly, single mothers, carers and people with mental and physical disabilities are also documented, although retailers insist that these cases are unrepresentative.
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/10/citizens-advice-shoplifting-fines
www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/dec/07/civil-recovery-schemes-for-or-against?intcmp=239
In 67% of 300 cases analysed, the goods were worth less than £20, and in 79% of cases they were recovered in store for resale – but the average demand was £147.69 including the costs of "dealing with the incident" as well as the goods stolen.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "It would appear that the principal beneficiaries, in cases of low-value alleged theft, are the agents. They collectively profit by millions of pounds but have no obvious interest in a reduction of retail crime.
"In some cases, the alleged offence appears to have been no more than an innocent mistake or the result of confusion or genuine error when using a self-service checkout."
Its report says many of those targeted are vulnerable. One in four of the 300 cases involved teenagers, the majority of which were under 17.
Demands against the elderly, single mothers, carers and people with mental and physical disabilities are also documented, although retailers insist that these cases are unrepresentative.
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/10/citizens-advice-shoplifting-fines
www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/dec/07/civil-recovery-schemes-for-or-against?intcmp=239