Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
How To Make A Fair Cop
Covent Garden retailers are determined to make sure that crime against them does not pay. To that end, they have set up, with the local police, the Business Watch scheme which aims to prevent thieves and fraudsters from depriving them of their honest living.
But when faced with someone caught stealing from their shops, too many retailers are unsure of their legal powers when it comes to apprehending a culprit. They do not realise that they, like all members of the public, can make an arrest without warrant, of anyone they know who has committed a theft or have reasonable grounds to suspect has committed a theft.
That said, it is one thing stopping a thief, but it is something else keeping him until the police arrive, especially if he might be of a violent nature. In cases like this, the police advise that your welfare is more important than your property. Better, even, to let him go rather than put yourself at risk.
Once a suspect has been spotted, where possible, get a member of staff to keep him under observation while somebody else calls the police.
When moving in to detain a suspect, try to have a witness with you. And do not stop the 'customer' until he has passed the final check-out point, preferably inside the shop.
While waiting for the police to arrive, keep the suspect continually in sight in case he tries to dump the goods he has purloined. By doing this, you avoid accusations of wrongful arrest.
When confronting a shop-lifter outside, ask him to return voluntarily to the shop
If when approached outside, he refuses to return to the store, it is then that you have to decide whether to make a formal arrest and, if necessary, use force to make it.
Back inside, ask the suspect to empty his bags or pockets. The law forbids you to make a physical search of a person as this may leave you open to accusations of assault. If they refuse, then call the police.
Once the goods have been turned out, ask to see the receipt and check for discrepancies against the till roll. If there are none, apologise and offer regrets for the inconvenience and explain your actions. If there is a discrepancy, and you feel you should take the matter further, note any replies the suspect makes and other relevant conversation.
The Home Office has published a pamphlet, Making Arrests, which gives an outline of the law on theft and forms a guide to good practice for those who have to deal with shop theft. It is available free from Mike Marlow, co-ordinator of Business Watch at the Covent Garden Community Association, crime prevention officers, or your local police station.
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