Had a Bad afternoon

If you have a car, they can trace you through your car Reg. through CCTV on car parks and town centres etc.

Unless you used a Store Card that day, they could trace the address through that.

Sounds to me that something has been seen on CCTV in the store that they think looked suspicious. I would expect to be shown some sort of CCTV to be shown to you so that you can explain what was happening.

Very worrying for you but even if some action has been wrongly interpreted, they have to prove that you did something illegal.

Wouldn't worry too much, tell them you don't know what they're talking about.

Please update ! Please go to Citizen’s advice if worried ,

grannyactivist I hope this never happens to you but if it does then you will understand how dreadful something like this makes you feel.

I am so pleased this has been sorted*sharonberry*. As others here have said, I should certainly demand a formal apology.

Go to the Police Station with your supporter and your head held high. Ask to speak to a Senior Officer and say it’s a ludicrous situation and demand to see what evidence they have against you. Then you can go down the route of Police complaints.

sharonberry my son got a letter about an offence he was supposed to have committed ( he was 18) he and we knew he knew he hadn't been anywhere near the place where it happened so we contacted the Procurator Fiscals office and told them this ,we also spoke to the policeman who reported the offence and he gave us a description of the young man he had apprehended.It was a neighbours son trying to wriggle out of it.What they said to us was thatwhen false details are given its usually someone who knows you well,in this case he didn't know us well enought to know my son used his middle name but always gave his first name on forms etc,and he gave his OWN birthday so we approached his dad.The dad said as it was "only a warning" we had nothing to worry about!!! Tellingly they moved house a few months later,I got the impression he'd done it before.Good luck with it,I know how worrying this can be

This doesn't add up at all. How on earth could they have got your address when no-one approached you in the shop? Sounds rather like either someone who was perhaps stopped for shoplifting has give a false address (yours), or the police came to the wrong house, and it's their mistake. Either way I'd be taking legal advice about the unnecessary stress this is causing you. I'm also surprised that your local police have the time to investigate such a flimsy, unsubstantiated case. There are much bigger fish to fry..

I agree with GrannieAnnie - although it was a worrying experience for sharonberry the only way that police can do their job is to carry out investigations and that's what they did. No arrest was made, just a request to help the police with their enquiries and having done that sb was exonerated.

This is upsetting, of course. However, it doesn't warrant the calls to complain. I think that the police went to interview everyone who had topped up their card at around 5.00pm. I don't think they ignored the earlier one. Also, it would have taken a few days because the theft wouldn't have been discovered immediately, so a couple of days would have passed before investigations started. This would, in all probability, been carried out by a part-time officer or at a lower priority in the caseload.

While terribly upsetting, we need to be a bit more rational and not blame the police for shoddy work. They have a lot to do as we all know.

I am as surprised as you, Nelliemoser.

Oh Sharonberry, what a dreadful experience, definately send in a complaint and demand a formal apology.This type of thing should never happen.

You poor thing having to go through this when it is obviously a mistake, someone given the wrong address it seems, keep calm, this evening it will be sorted, with a huge apology I hope.Good luck.

I agree with Lilyflower. Don't accept a caution. It can have unexpected consequences and remember that they have to proof it which they obviously won't be able to do.

If the questioning becomes oppressive or too upsetting, ask for the duty solicitor and do it earlier rather than later. It is not just about whether they will follow it through, it is also about having support in a stressful situation.
Unless you are under arrest, you don't have to go to the station or answer their questions and you could contact them and say that you would prefer them to come back to your house (if that is the case).

Don't accept a caution as it is an admittance of guilt.

You clearly are not guilty and it doesn't sound as if there is any evidence against you that will stick in a court.

Sharonberry
Warning bells. Yes why 12 days.? Phone the non urgent police number and voice your concerns. They will advise you what to do.

Sheer incompetence. Not a bit impressed with our so called wonderful police if this is how they waste their time as well as yours.

I agree with MAWBROON, it does sound rather odd. Usually shops have to apprehend the person just outside the premises with the goods on them. I would do as other posters have said and ring the local police station to ensure the 2 officers are legitimate. I would also go to the CAB (Citizens advice bureau) for advice. Let us know what happens, I hope your predicament is resolved quickly.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.