Had a Bad afternoon

This all sounds so weird.
What proof or evidence do they have. Surely they would have had to tell you.

I would want someone to stay in the house whilst I went there, just in case.

It's possible that the store security/Police could have tracked OP via CCTV to their car, got the car registration number, and the Police could then get the name and address.

Do you still have the receipt for items purchased on that day in the store?
Did you pay by card, using this the store could track your receipt on the till, also via CCTV. There is usually a camera at each till above the till operator.

Any chance you got petrol and forgot to pay - though highly unlikely because nowadays we usually have to put the card in first to get the petrol pump going.

I do hope it turns out to be some sort of mistake. It is understandable that you are feeling awful. I would also want to get to the station and get to the bottom of it. Please do come back and tell us how you got on.
This could happen to any of us.

It's possible that CCTV could clear this all up. I hope you get to see it tonight. x

This seems really weird. If they think you were shoplifting why not come with a search warrant and look for what ever you are supposed to have stolen. Telling you to come along later surely gives you time to dispose of your ill gotten gains. Also it's two weeks ago - how many people hang on to receipts for two weeks, unless it's for something big, and in that case surely they would look for it straight away.

Joining those that find this very strange. Hopefully the OP will be back soon from the police station to update us.

Gosh what a nightmare, poor lady normally people are confronted in the spot and have to hand the items back or if a repeat offended handed over to the police, 12 days later seems extraordinary
I hope all goes well and do come back and tell us what on Earth it’s all about

Deedaa I hold onto my receipts for anything I've paid using a card until that transaction has gone through my account. I also keep a running total of what's in my current account and use the receipts to keep it up to date so the account doesnt go into the red

I went to the police station earlier. they went through all the legal talk - quite scary in itself. I was recorded and shown the CCTV tape. It showed a woman picking things up, putting things down and then going back and putting items in her coat. was done at 4.55pm. At 4.58pm (this is where I come into it) she topped her electric prepayment key up on the paypoint meter. She then walked out of the shop at 4.59am without paying for those items in their coats. My electric key was credited after 5pm.

All a bit of a mix up and glad at least to have some type of closure.

What a horrible experience for you. Surreal! So glad it's been cleared up. Hope you sleep OK tonight now.

But if those facts about the times were clear, what made them assume it was you? Did the person even look like you ?
Rubbish police work IMO

I still don’t understand how they landed at your door, how would they come to the conclusion it was you and know your address from a cctv pic and how come they didn’t see you leaving after the shoplifter It doesn’t sound any more understandable
Did you look alike? did you think it looked like you ?
And most importantly did the police apologise for dragging you out in the night and putting you though all this worry and hastle
Unbelievable !!!

This lady topped out her prepayment key at 4.58. You did the same just after 5.00. So presumably they got a printout from the prepayment machine. Ignored the 4.58 payment that agreed with the timings on the CCTV and went on the 5.00 renewal.

On the basis of this the police came round to your house and accused you of shop-lifting.

This is appalling policing and outrageous behaviour by the police. I would be writing to the Chief Constable and if necessary the Police Complaints Commission.

Meanwhile, I do hope you are recovering from a truly dreadful experience

Poor you . They put you through hell ! Glad it's sorted out now .

That is ridiculous - how dare they put you through that - I would be fuming

I'm so glad that you got it sorted. All that stress. I would consider making a complaint about the way it was handled. Police Scotland are getting such bad publicity just now, they certainly didn't handle this really well.
There are lots of decent policeman out there, you just happened to get get someone who was incompetent.

This seems very heavy handed and I would certainly demand an explanation as to the way it was handled. So glad you have got it sorted out and hope your GD were not upset by the visit.

You really do need to make an official complaint, this is unacceptable.

So sorry that this happened to you sharonberry, terrible experience. Hope you get a sincere apology at least.
You have a story to tell now.

So glad things are sorted out sharonberry I agree with others who say this is very shoddy police work and you should make a complaint. If you do complain then hopefully others will not be put in this very stressful situation.

It’s horrendous. Why you, though? Did they say? Did she look like you? Did they apologise? Please take this further.

So glad this all got sorted out, agree you should complain strongly

Did they at least apologise? If not then a letter of complaint that's for sure. Yes mistakes can be made but they need to acknowledge the fact that one has been made in this instance and the unnecessary stress it has caused you.

Please ask for a formal apology. This is really shoddy police work and a more vulnerable person may have been pushed over the edge by such an accusation and heavy handed approach.

Have you upset anyone who might have a gudge against you?

I am surprised these days if any police would even bother to go and investigate a shoplifting incident. Too busy with more serious matters.