Attacked by security guard - police blaming me!
Discussion
citizensm1th said:
I am going to guess the supermarket is morrisons as they give you the option to have a receipt at the self serve tills.
But why? I can understand the reason at the likes of pay at the pump fuel pumps, where there is not much chance of theft when using a card,or at least not being pulled by a security guard,
but that's not the case in any supermarket,
citizensm1th said:
I am going to guess the supermarket is morrisons as they give you the option to have a receipt at the self serve tills.
No. It's the UK's biggest supermarket. I drive a truck for them on the agency out of one of their distribution centres. If I wanted to steal I think I'd just park up and have 20tonnes of stock off rather than pinching in a store. Could even have a cage of high value booze if I was so inclined. I'd never do that as I'm not a thief. gooner1 said:
citizensm1th said:
I am going to guess the supermarket is morrisons as they give you the option to have a receipt at the self serve tills.
But why? I can understand the reason at the likes of pay at the pump fuel pumps, where there is not much chance of theft when using a card,or at least not being pulled by a security guard,
but that's not the case in any supermarket,
k am i supposed to know? at a guess it saves them some moneyWith the caveat that this is only one side of the story, I’d be arranging to give my statement to the police with a view to reporting the guard for assault/homophobic comments but I’m more concerned with the policewoman basically making her mind up without even talking to you. Surely that’s extremely unprofessional and requires a complaint?
As for banning you from the store, that would have to be a management decision made by management, not the guard and policewoman. Who do they think they are?
As for banning you from the store, that would have to be a management decision made by management, not the guard and policewoman. Who do they think they are?
Jonnny said:
ambuletz said:
report it as a hate crime for him calling you gay while attacking you.
This would definitely cause the most grief for the security guard/supermarket. 
milkround said:
Went to a supermarket. Paid for my shopping on one of those self-service machines. One of them that don't give you receipts all the time and always ask if you want a receipt.
As I'm leaving security guard demands to see my receipt. Explain I don't have one - so am told very firmly come with me. At this point, I have no inclination to come with anyone so walk out. I'd paid for my shopping. I'd done nothing wrong. If he'd asked nicely it might have been different - but I take my civil liberties very seriously.
Next thing I know this security guard is grabbing me in the car park. Pushing me. Even attempts to twist my arm behind my back. Tells me I can't go anywhere. I say lets call the police - he says no and that he is security and I'll do what he says. After I'm knocked to the floor I allegedly get up and punch him in the face. I remember pushing him back but can't remember punching. I'd also been kicked by him. The man totally lost his control. He kept calling me homophobic names so I presume he thought I was gay. I genuinely think he was attacking me because he thought I was homosexual thinking about it.
At this point I get to my car - but he then grabs hold of my partner. She actually sees a receipt which in the commotion is half ripped. I drive up and he lets her go. I drove home and call the police and tell them what happened. There was a receipt I just didn't know about it at the time. Police say no one to come out etc...
All this was a good few days ago. But yesterday I got a call from a Police lady. Saying she'd tried coming to my house on Friday. I explained I worked etc. She wants me to sign something saying I apologise and I was in the wrong! I ask why he grabbed me - but she says I should have just gone with him and done what he wanted. I ask why he attacked me. She claims as a security gaurd he can do that. I ask why he didn't just call the police like I asked - and she claims that they are to busy to come out.
Now here is the stinker. She wanted me to 'apologise' and agree to not go to that store. I'm happy to not go to that store but will never apologise. She said if I didn't do a 'community resolution' she'd have to give me a caution that goes on my record. I said I'm happy to come and give a statement (with a solicitor) but she didn't want me to do this. Said she'd need to 'think about it then'. Which tells me that she knows I've done nothing wrong and is just trying to cover it up. Why else would she not want me to have a solicitor??? It's all on CCTV.
The real stinker is that I do a bit of HGV driving for that supermarket. And my partner who is a pharmacist does some locum work for them. I'm minded to sue them tbh for the assault.
So what's the best way to deal with this now? Should I call up some solicitors? Should I call up the Police and ask to speak to someone who isn't an idiot who can look at the CCTV and not jump to conclusions that security guard = right to attack? I've found out how to request all CCTV footage from the supermarket and will be doing that today.
None of this makes any sense whatsoever.As I'm leaving security guard demands to see my receipt. Explain I don't have one - so am told very firmly come with me. At this point, I have no inclination to come with anyone so walk out. I'd paid for my shopping. I'd done nothing wrong. If he'd asked nicely it might have been different - but I take my civil liberties very seriously.
Next thing I know this security guard is grabbing me in the car park. Pushing me. Even attempts to twist my arm behind my back. Tells me I can't go anywhere. I say lets call the police - he says no and that he is security and I'll do what he says. After I'm knocked to the floor I allegedly get up and punch him in the face. I remember pushing him back but can't remember punching. I'd also been kicked by him. The man totally lost his control. He kept calling me homophobic names so I presume he thought I was gay. I genuinely think he was attacking me because he thought I was homosexual thinking about it.
At this point I get to my car - but he then grabs hold of my partner. She actually sees a receipt which in the commotion is half ripped. I drive up and he lets her go. I drove home and call the police and tell them what happened. There was a receipt I just didn't know about it at the time. Police say no one to come out etc...
All this was a good few days ago. But yesterday I got a call from a Police lady. Saying she'd tried coming to my house on Friday. I explained I worked etc. She wants me to sign something saying I apologise and I was in the wrong! I ask why he grabbed me - but she says I should have just gone with him and done what he wanted. I ask why he attacked me. She claims as a security gaurd he can do that. I ask why he didn't just call the police like I asked - and she claims that they are to busy to come out.
Now here is the stinker. She wanted me to 'apologise' and agree to not go to that store. I'm happy to not go to that store but will never apologise. She said if I didn't do a 'community resolution' she'd have to give me a caution that goes on my record. I said I'm happy to come and give a statement (with a solicitor) but she didn't want me to do this. Said she'd need to 'think about it then'. Which tells me that she knows I've done nothing wrong and is just trying to cover it up. Why else would she not want me to have a solicitor??? It's all on CCTV.
The real stinker is that I do a bit of HGV driving for that supermarket. And my partner who is a pharmacist does some locum work for them. I'm minded to sue them tbh for the assault.
So what's the best way to deal with this now? Should I call up some solicitors? Should I call up the Police and ask to speak to someone who isn't an idiot who can look at the CCTV and not jump to conclusions that security guard = right to attack? I've found out how to request all CCTV footage from the supermarket and will be doing that today.
kiethton said:
Tbh if I was being assaulted by a security guard they’d have far more than a punch in the face. Limbs break very easily and quickly, even with fairly small pressure, if applied in specific places.
Punch is pushing it. And context is key. At this point, I'd been knocked to the ground and he'd aimed a kick at me. I got up and was backing away. He came forward. I tried to push him back. Even the police lady said it looked like a natural reaction. I didn't aim to punch anyone or go out for a fight. I was being roughed up and just wanted to either have the police called or get away.
One of my hands was full of my shopping! I wasn't going for a fight that is for sure.
Rewe said:
Presumably all the CCTV will show is the security guard trying to detain you and you resisting? What if it does show you trying to punch him? At this stage, I’d just try to make the whole thing go away.
Detain me for what??? Not showing your receipt is not an arrestable offence!
It's like someone walking past me house and me demanding their ID in case they may have done something. Them refusing and me attacking them. Security guards are just normal people like me and you. They are not police officers with the powers and training afforded to them.
They can only detain people if they have reasonable grounds for thinking you have broken the law! Not showing them a receipt is not reasonable grounds in my book. And when they do detain it's called making a citizens arrest.
I'd be very shocked if the police would arrest you for simply not having a receipt. Especially when the shop gives you the option to not get one!
Cat said:
milk round said:
Even the police lady said it looked like a natural reaction.
I thought she hadn't seen the CCTV... milk round said:
I actually asked the lady police officer if she's seen things. She said no.
CatSeen him grabbing and holding my partner. She said no.
Seen him trying to twist my arm. She said no.
Seen him knock me over (apparently I fell) and then me pushing him back. She said she saw that.
I have done a SAR to get the footage. Once I have it I'll upload it and you can make your own mind up.
milkround said:
Detain me for what?
.
.
.
They can only detain people if they have reasonable grounds for thinking you have broken the law!
Isn’t it safe to assume that, for whatever reason, he thought you were shoplifting? A wrong conclusion you could have cleared up in 5 minutes with no hard feelings, no need to wrestle in the car park and no harm done. You would have recieved an apology which you could have accepted graciously, or not..
.
.
They can only detain people if they have reasonable grounds for thinking you have broken the law!
citizensm1th said:
gooner1 said:
citizensm1th said:
I am going to guess the supermarket is morrisons as they give you the option to have a receipt at the self serve tills.
But why? I can understand the reason at the likes of pay at the pump fuel pumps, where there is not much chance of theft when using a card,or at least not being pulled by a security guard,
but that's not the case in any supermarket,
k am i supposed to know? at a guess it saves them some moneyHave to say. If I was also being told to go with them I would have probably done the same. I’d have also told them to phone the Police and I’d have waited for them to attend but no way would I be going to any private rooms.
Also. Assault me and I’ll defend myself but I’ll never strike first.
I also wouldn’t be accepting blame for something that wasn’t my fault. I’m with OP here and I’m not a civil liberties MY RIGHTS ARE MY RIGHTS kinda guy.
ashleyman said:
Sainsbury’s do this too. My wife never gets a receipt. I always do. Mostly because if I’m accused of something how do I prove I have paid? She’s not worried about it.
So she shouldn't be. There will be CCTV showing her at the till, not walking straight out the exit and the till record will match her shopping. A receipt makes the process quicker though .
Rewe said:
ashleyman said:
Sainsbury’s do this too. My wife never gets a receipt. I always do. Mostly because if I’m accused of something how do I prove I have paid? She’s not worried about it.
So she shouldn't be. There will be CCTV showing her at the till, not walking straight out the exit and the till record will match her shopping. A receipt makes the process quicker though .We’ve always wondered what the process would be if stopped without a receipt and if the guards even know no receipt is an option.
ashleyman said:
Rewe said:
ashleyman said:
Sainsbury’s do this too. My wife never gets a receipt. I always do. Mostly because if I’m accused of something how do I prove I have paid? She’s not worried about it.
So she shouldn't be. There will be CCTV showing her at the till, not walking straight out the exit and the till record will match her shopping. A receipt makes the process quicker though .We’ve always wondered what the process would be if stopped without a receipt and if the guards even know no receipt is an option.
I was asked for my receipt a while ago. My first thought wasn’t, “What’s the best way I can escalate this and cause conflict?”
The police officer is probably trying to get it binned quickly with an RJ because she has better things to do than deal with two adults who can’t resolve a simple matter by using some degree of compromise and common sense.
Where was your partner when you were asked for the receipt you didn’t have but then she then had later on?
The police officer is probably trying to get it binned quickly with an RJ because she has better things to do than deal with two adults who can’t resolve a simple matter by using some degree of compromise and common sense.
Where was your partner when you were asked for the receipt you didn’t have but then she then had later on?
gooner1 said:
citizensm1th said:
I am going to guess the supermarket is morrisons as they give you the option to have a receipt at the self serve tills.
But why? I can understand the reason at the likes of pay at the pump fuel pumps, where there is not much chance of theft when using a card,or at least not being pulled by a security guard,
but that's not the case in any supermarket,
Going back to the OP’s situation, security guards do have a power of arrest including the use of reasonable force but only when there is very clear evidence that the person they want to detain has committed a crime.
It doesn’t sound like that was the case here, but without cctv of the tills and car park to show what happened including audio, there won’t be a definitive answer to who was in the right.
While it’s easy enough to stick to the “I know my rights” line, that can and often does result in an unnecessary mess. Yes, it does sound like the guard overstepped the mark, but the OP had every opportunity to defuse the situation.
Regarding the police caution, they can only do this if you accept it, which is an admission of guilt and can have serious consequences.
vonhosen said:
ashleyman said:
Rewe said:
ashleyman said:
Sainsbury’s do this too. My wife never gets a receipt. I always do. Mostly because if I’m accused of something how do I prove I have paid? She’s not worried about it.
So she shouldn't be. There will be CCTV showing her at the till, not walking straight out the exit and the till record will match her shopping. A receipt makes the process quicker though .We’ve always wondered what the process would be if stopped without a receipt and if the guards even know no receipt is an option.
La Liga said:
I was asked for my receipt a while ago. My first thought wasn’t, “What’s the best way I can escalate this and cause conflict?”
The police officer is probably trying to get it binned quickly with an RJ because she has better things to do than deal with two adults who can’t resolve a simple matter by using some degree of compromise and common sense.
Where was your partner when you were asked for the receipt you didn’t have but then she then had later on?
Easy way and hard way isn't there?The police officer is probably trying to get it binned quickly with an RJ because she has better things to do than deal with two adults who can’t resolve a simple matter by using some degree of compromise and common sense.
Where was your partner when you were asked for the receipt you didn’t have but then she then had later on?
Some people always seem to choose the hard way.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff