Had a Bad afternoon

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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 !!!

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

No Idea why 12 days, really dont know what is going on though guess I will find out soon.

Yep I am in the UK in Scotland

Twelve days ago? This is more than odd, why has it taken twelve days

Are you in the UK Sharon ?

Noone mentioned either about an interview under caution, I am voluntarily gonna go tonight to sort the situation out.

Thanks will have a look, and no idea if there is anything else they could want to talk to me about.

A colleague who I work with says if they did suspect me and only if they did they could arrest me and process too - photo, finger prints, DNA. Kinda scary thought tho guess being worked up over nothing as I didnt do anything.

Do want to get to the bottom of it all though, my Daughter text to say she will come with me.

I can only say what everyone else is saying and that is that it sounds very odd.

How they can identify you and get your address when they only have CCTV evidence is not clear.

Could they want to talk to you about something else but not want you to know until you get there? If they want to question you under caution insist on having a solicitor present. They will have a duty solicitor available. If it is just an interview insist on your daughter being present.

I have just had a talk with Mr Google. Here are two useful websites. Their advice is say nothing unless a solicitor is present.

thejusticegap.com/2011/12/chat-or-interview/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/police/police-powers/#h-when-can-the-police-question-you