Attacked by security guard - police blaming me!

Attacked by security guard - police blaming me!

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milkround

Original Poster:

1,113 posts

78 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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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.

syl

693 posts

74 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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You can either forget about it, or go to the police station and report the crime (and get a reference number) and also make a formal complaint about the officer that called.

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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I’m guessing that if you’d gone with him when originally asked you could have sorted this out and been on your way within minutes.

MB140

4,027 posts

102 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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Report him to police and complain to headquarters of company involved. I wouldn’t be accepting any caution etc from the police. There must be cctv although it’s probable as security he has access to the recordings and could have deleted any evidence.

ambuletz

10,690 posts

180 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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report it as a hate crime for him calling you gay while attacking you.

Alucidnation

16,810 posts

169 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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garyhun said:
I’m guessing that if you’d gone with him when originally asked you could have sorted this out and been on your way within minutes.
Yeah but, yeah but....



steveo3002

10,493 posts

173 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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im in the same mind that if i paid for what i had then no im not stopping to prove my innocence

local papers /facebook ...attacked by supermarket will probably stir up some hassle for them

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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garyhun said:
I’m guessing that if you’d gone with him when originally asked you could have sorted this out and been on your way within minutes.
x1000 but when someone mentions 'civil liabilities' you just get this impression..a bit freeman off the land type..

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

116 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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garyhun said:
I’m guessing that if you’d gone with him when originally asked you could have sorted this out and been on your way within minutes.
Always get and keep the receipt.

Jonnny

29,387 posts

188 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
quotequote all
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

Original Poster:

1,113 posts

78 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
quotequote all
Alucidnation said:
garyhun said:
I’m guessing that if you’d gone with him when originally asked you could have sorted this out and been on your way within minutes.
Yeah but, yeah but....
If I could go back in time... Then maybe.

But when someone aggressively tells you what to do then sometimes you don't think that clearly.

Frankly, I'd done nothing wrong. And I didn't appreciate either been spoken to like that or assaulted. And not showing a receipt (which the company gives you an option to not have!) doesn't mean they can attack you.

milkround

Original Poster:

1,113 posts

78 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
quotequote all
MB140 said:
Report him to police and complain to headquarters of company involved. I wouldn’t be accepting any caution etc from the police. There must be cctv although it’s probable as security he has access to the recordings and could have deleted any evidence.
Both done. Called as soon as I got home and got crime reference numbers for both the assualt on myself and my partner. And wrote to head quarters the next day.

Part of me is wondering if my complaining has caused this. But I am not too bothered. I'd done nothing wrong. I'm more shocked that the police have not bothered to even look into it before assuming I should apologise and take responsibility.

I'm not sure if he could have deleted footage. I actually asked the lady police officer if she's seen things. She said no. Things like him kicking me etc. I am not sure if she is just incompetent and has simply looked at specific bits. Or if some has been removed. I have done a SAR to get all the footage and will be asking why there are gaps if there are any.

SmoothCriminal

5,047 posts

198 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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garyhun said:
I’m guessing that if you’d gone with him when originally asked you could have sorted this out and been on your way within minutes.
Probably a Freeman of the land type.

Didn't even know he had a receipt says it all.

gooner1

10,223 posts

178 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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Why is the receipt/ no receipt even an option, shouldn't one be printed off
as a matter of course, regardless whether the purchaser takes it or not?

steveo3002

10,493 posts

173 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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SmoothCriminal said:
Probably a Freeman of the land type.
shouldnt get kicked round the car park for it though should he?

Rewe

1,016 posts

91 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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What would have been the worst thing that could happen if you had cooperated politely?

You would have lost 5 minutes of your life while they checked your goods against the recent transactions on your till then received an apology and possibly even a cup of tea and biscuit!

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.


anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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steveo3002 said:
shouldnt get kicked round the car park for it though should he?
No but we have only heard one side of the story, op admits punching security guard in the face.

NorthDevon66

67 posts

81 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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OP is entirely reasonable I think. Why should he put up with being treated as a potential shoplifter. If the security guard suspected anything he should check the security camera. The fact that they don't make receipts obligatory makes going to a private room nonsensical - what does the guard expect to happen in there given there is no need for a receipt. The shop needs to either make everyone get a receipt or else not stop them on the way out on some vague suspicion.

The guard is an idiot and should be sacked.

citizensm1th

8,371 posts

136 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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gooner1 said:
Why is the receipt/ no receipt even an option, shouldn't one be printed off
as a matter of course, regardless whether the purchaser takes it or not?
I am going to guess the supermarket is morrisons as they give you the option to have a receipt at the self serve tills.

kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
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Thesprucegoose said:
steveo3002 said:
shouldnt get kicked round the car park for it though should he?
No but we have only heard one side of the story, op admits punching security guard in the face.
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.