大象传媒

Every year ordinary shoppers are being accused of shoplifting and fined for crimes they didn't commit. David Whiteley investigates the growth of civil recovery and uncovers the unreliable evidence being used to accuse innocent people. Student Caroline King was accused of taking makeup from Boots. She received a letter from Retail Loss Prevention, the largest civil recovery company in the UK, demanding payment of ?137.50 for her wrongful act. They threatened to take her to court if she didn't pay. Yet neither Boots nor RLP have provided any evidence to prove that Caroline stole the items, and Caroline denies taking anything. Boots say that civil recovery is necessary to deter shoplifting. They wouldn't comment on Caroline's case. Retail Loss Prevention say their action provides an effective deterrent to shoplifting. Caroline's is not an isolated case. Retailers are increasingly using civil recovery to claim damages after alleged shoplifting rather than relying on the police and criminal courts. The Citizens Advice Bureau are dealing with 4,000 cases a year. Many of them like Caroline say they are innocent but have been intimidated into paying up.