Shoplifting

I too would be horrified to be seen with a shoplifter. Leave these people and find new friends, don't shop with them/her/him again.

Difficult situation. You could alienate them for ever by a loud 'You forgot this' waving an empty wrapper or revealing the things under the bags in the trolley. I'm wondering whether you know them socially or professionally. I hope they're not relatives.
Change your shopping habits or times if you can. Perhaps stop paying the tea and cakes bill. Is your kindness being taken advantage of?
It almost sounds, as more than one is involved, like a gang of teenage girls shoplifting for fun to impress each other or see what they can get away with.
I do hope you can distance yourself from this upsetting situation.

They probably know that they won't be arrested if the amount is under £25.
This came in some time ago, it takes up too much police time.

Just don't put yourself in the position of being with them in a shop again, I wouldn't want to take the risk of being implicated.

I thought it was £75. They can obviously still be challenged and 'shamed' instore, but are not likely to be charged by the police unless they're known to be habitual offenders.

Ethelbags - thank you for replying. I will have to avoid these people in the future. However see the next paragraph
Elred - Thank you for replying. Unfortunately it is the worst case scenario. It is a close relative and their other side relative. They are not the kind of people that I would speak up to. They are not afraid to let rip at full blast which would be even more embarrassing. As soon as I read the bit about teenage girls. They are not teenagers, more like 25 to 30. I dithered all the way out the shop to keep a distance between them and me.
I also have other worries about what all is going on in this circle. There are things I can never talk about because I was the only one who was present at the time.
It is not going to be easy or pleasant but I think the only thing to do is put a lot of distance in a lot of ways between me and them.
SPF
Thanks

I think shoplifting is taken lightly nowadays. I feel an old fogey saying this but last week the check out girl in M&S omitted something on my bill. I was walking out slowly checking the till receipt when I realised an item (£5) was missing. I went back and eventually found someone who could do something. She laughingly said you would have been better shoplifting it. She couldn't see why I protested. I said would that not have triggered a problem for the girl at the till. A shrug and a laugh. She could not see that I felt unhappy to be thought of as someone who could be dishonest. My good name and all that.