Shoplifting In Boots

[enuff-_sed]

Boots took a photograph of me today because of being caught shoplifting ... The police were not involved apart from doing a PNC check. I'd appreciate it if anyone could enlighten me about the following 1] Do they have a legal right to take it? 2] What do they do with it? 3] Is it available to all members of staff? Many thanks

[murraymints]

They most likely have banned you from their stores and will circulate pic to local branches

[Baldric]

I'm sure every branch of Boots will have a copy of your Piccie by now!

[Quizproquo]

Yes, they have a right.
They can circulate it to all their stores because you are a banned person.
Yes, all front line members of staff will be able to see it, otherwise how would they know you are on the banned list.
Also
You are very lucky. They could have just called the police.
If you are afraid of who sees your photo, maybe you could pick a different career?

[furrypusscat]

If you have been shoplifting which you do not seem to be disputing, if you refuse they could insist on taking it further and you could end up with a criminal conviction.

[Buenchico]

With a few very limited exceptions (which aren't relevant here) anyone has the right to photograph anything, or anyone, as long as they (or their camera) are:
(a) in a public place ;
(b) on their own property ; or
(c) in a place where they've been given permission to take photographs.

So, for example, it's perfectly lawful for someone to stand in the street and photograph you in your front garden or (through your windows) inside your house.

So it should be obvious that an employee of a company, acting on behalf of that company, has the right to take a photograph of you on the company's premises.

Even if someone takes a photograph of you when none of (a), (b) and (c), above, apply, they're still not committing a criminal offence. It's only a civil matter. (e.g. there's no law that prohibits someone from entering your front garden and taking photographs of you there or through your windows).

So the clear answer to your first question is: Yes.

The answer to q2 depends upon the company's policy. As they hold the copyright to the photograph, they're basically free to do with it as they wish. They can't, however, display it in a public place with a label saying 'Shoplifter', as that amounts to harassment. However they can, and probably will, make it available to all of their staff so that you can either be monitored or refused entry in future. (That seems to answer q3 as well).

[Buenchico]

PS: Some towns have a 'barred from one, barred from all' policy agreed between the vast majority of shops in the area. If that applies in your town, your photo could be distributed to all the shops which participate in the scheme, meaning that you'll need to travel to another town to do your shopping in future.

[tamborine]

1. Yes 2. Below link 3. No. Youre Lucky you werent prosecuted but dont do it again.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_National_Computer

[Maydup]

1. yes they have a legal write to take photo. Almost all shops and public areas/buildings have CCTV and will take a still photo from the footage as evidence against a wrong doer as well as taking regular photos. That's the point of security cameras and systems.

2. They keep it as evidence and circulate it to all other branches and all other shops locally as a warning for them to keep an eye on you.

3. Probably not available to all staff, but available to the store detectives and the CCTV operators.

Take the warning with thanks and stop shoplifting from now on.

[ummmm]

If it's anything like Pub Watch hardly anyone will check.

[scorpiojo]

:)))

[Peter Pedant]

.

having been collared for shop lifting I trust you are aware of the irony of asking: are you meant to be doing that ?

alot of the legislation about data protection has a let out that it doesnt apply if the object is detection or prevention of crime....for example a corner shop that has CCTV over its freezer doesnt have to register it - something I have always found odd ....

and (or but) it even applies to the police who are mainly governed by RIPA ( regulation of investigatory powers ) . I frequently write to the chief constable and tell him to update his info on the PNC as he has a duty to do, ( that is he doesnt have a choice, he has to do it ) - and this is usually related to 'can you please stop raiding the house of which I am landlord as the person of interest you seek has now left and it is let to someone else'

[ToraToraTora]

1) yes, 2)print a poster for all their stores probably, 3) yes.

[enuff-_sed]

Many thanks for all your replies and I do realise that it's a very irresponsible and selfish thing to do. Not that there is any excuse for doing it but my mother died a few months ago. It's taken over four months to sort everything out which took its toll emotionally. Maybe it was like trying to fill a void by having done it but obviously it's only psychological, as the end result is more turmoil.....