caught shoplifting but not yet charged by police

[hayls]

i have been caught on cctv for shoplifting, i am devastated as I was not thinking straight at the time, no exuse I know, but was in a bit of a state at the time so therefore the police officer who attended the store told me he would be in touch the next day so that i could attend the station where id be questioned, & no doubt charged, i have recently started a good job, & i know i will b sacked when it comes 2 light on my 6monthly crb checks.i am currently on a 12month probation order for shoplifting, i am seeking help 2 stop this pathetic behaviour, please what can i do or say on sunday when i have 2 attend the station 2 b charged with this offence 2 stop it going 2 court & me facing the sack, & even possible imprisonment where i dont think i will be able 2 handle such great punishment. i will never ever do this rediculous act again in my life, i have had the fright of my life this time & just want it all behind me & continue with my good white honest life ahead.

[sara3]

I think the best you can do is say all that when you get to the police station... maybe leaving out the word "white".. not sure what that was for.

if you have other problems that may be leading you to behave like this, I suggest you get some professional help and tell the police about that, too.

[Eve]

What kind of work do you do? If you are on a 12 month probation order then do your work know about that from previous CRB checks?

I'd say you have to not only show you are making the effort to put a stop to the shoplifting but do it for yourself, if it's just a facesaving exercise then it will just happen all over again.

I'm sure the court services are used to people promising the earth to get out of a harsher punishment so whatever it is needs to be properly planned and actioned.

Be honest, seek proper advice, accept suggestions, show you mean it.

Could you also offer to do some kind of community work and put something back into the community?

Can you speak to your probation officer about the probably consequences, best course of action and get their help to put something in place and how to approach the court etc...?

Speak to your probation officer about the best way to approach your workplace. I'd say honesty is the best policy if it is going to come up anyway, rather than waiting until it is discovered and adding an additional deceit to the issue.

[kjc]

If you think you have a problem and there is some medical reason why you are shoplifting....which is classed as theft....then you should seek medical advice.
At first I thought this was a mathematical problem when I noticed how many numbers were in the post.....but if you already have a probation order for theft....then you are in deep do do I'm afraid.
get someone else to do your shopping for you while you wait to be charged because you can't seem to stop taking things.

[Eve]

Just another thought, have you ever looked into the reasons why you shoplift?

Is it because you think you need what you take or an impulse just to take things?

Have you ever had or considered any talking or cognative therapy to explore the reasons why you do it and find ways of changing your mindset to control the impulse?

Another thought about showing remorse, could you organise with your probation officer or the police to properly apologise to the store involved, be it in person or by letter and ask if there is anything you could do to try and make things right.

Unlikely they'd want you in their store again but at least you've made an effort and who knows what they might come up with.

[Metjam]

Shoplifting as such doesnt annoy me, it's the stupid idiots that constantly get caught that wind me up. I meancome on, how hard is it to swipe a few pick n mix these days?

[Bbbananas]

shoplifting is surprisingly easy even in this day & age - you just have to be careful about what you're nicking. Your biggest problem is that you're obviously not doing it properly!!!

Sorry - flippancy, & I'll be told off for it.
Life is hard - but it;s even harder if you're stupid.

[kjc]

if you don't think you can handle the great punishment of imprisionment....then you just have to STOP taking things that don't belong to you....
simple.

[Segilla]

It's upsetting for you that you have a probelm. But I hope you will act so that this matter is handled with as lttlle expense as possible to the GBP. We have to pay the bill.

[hayls]

thankyou all so much 4 ur kind words of suppost for a start! I am going to write a letter to the store involved first, attend the police station as arranged on sunday, come clean & seek profesional advice (doctor) maybe for the reason why im doing it, ps its not for the NEED to want things! thanks all so much, uv all helped in some way. H

[arline]

calm down do not panick it was a mistake Right? so go to the police station explain andmaybe they will let you off with a verbal warning

[sillymilly]

You will most def get a caution which will be on your police check. It will already be on it now stating pending prosecution. If you state to your employer when you are renewing your next police check and I would advise you to come clean and explain what happened and you might get to keep your job! Its all about honesty.