When Emily, 14, went shopping with her friends, she ended up doing something that she really regrets. She emailed us her story...
Emily's Story
It all started one Saturday earlier this year. Me and two of my friends, Steph and Laura, were out shopping, when I saw a pretty heart necklace that I loved. I had no money, but I really wanted it. I stood there for a while, thinking about what I could do to get it. Should I save up? Should I ask to borrow some money? Then I took a look around me.
There was barely anyone in the shop as it was near closing time. My heart thumped and thumped as I quickly dropped the necklace into my bag.
I immediately felt really guilty and was terrified of getting caught, so I took it out of my bag and put it back. A feeling of relief rushed through me.
When we went out of the shop, Steph opened her bag and it was full of stuff she'd stolen. I was shocked. Her mum works in security and deals with shoplifters everyday and Steph's always been the most sensible of my friends. I didn't ever expect her to steal.
I went back
The next Saturday, Steph and I went shopping again, but this time we intentionally planned on going back to the same shop and stealing some stuff. This time, I told myself, I wouldn't take it out of my bag.
“By this point, I knew we had been caught”
The shop was busy, so I quickly put a lip gloss set worth £10 into my bag. Steph stole the same thing, plus headbands and a necklace. As we made our way to the other side of the shop I noticed that the store manager was speaking to another member of staff and constantly looking at us.
By this point, I knew we had been caught. I put the headbands I had in my hand back.
"Steph, we need to go now. We've been caught!" I said, running out of the shop.
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Panic
We ran to the end of the street and turned into a shopping arcade. We thought we'd lost them, so Steph started unloading her bag and showing me what she took.
"The manager's behind us!" I said, totally scared. Steph told me that these words still haunt her now.
We ran through the arcade, I threw the stuff we nicked into random shops to get rid of the evidence, but eventually they caught up with us.
They led us back to the shop, where they took our details. A community support officer arrived followed by a police man. We apologised over and over again. The community support officer wanted to put us in prison for a night but the policeman allowed us to go home, though he said that he'd be calling our parents later that day.
Consequences
Looking back now, I don't know what made us do it. We knew the consequences, but still took a risk.
I now have a criminal record for 5 years, which could affect any future jobs I want or colleges that I apply to. I've learnt that committing a crime just isn't worth it. We were lucky we didn't get in a lot worse trouble and I can safely say I'd never risk going to court or prison for a set of lip gloss ever again.
Slink says: Shoplifting is illegal, so for more info on crime and for loads of help and advice, click here
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Suzie, 16
Well, that was abit of a silly thing to do wasnt it? Gutted you have a criminal record for five years. But its your own fault innit.
sarah, 16
i shoplifted when i was 14 too, only planned on doin it once and then kept doing it till we eventually got caught about 2months after we started. there was a group of us but only 2 of us got caught so the others got off lightly but me and my mate have a replemand until were 17 now and we had to keep goin back to the police station and we even had to visit a prison to see what would happen if we kept doing it. i think the worst part is your parents findin out coz they were really upset about it and also me and my friends used to be the closest friends u could meet and now were not nearly as close since that happened. so my advice - dont do it, not even once because in a way its addictive. close family and friends are more important than an object that only costs a couple of quid.
Samantha, 15
the same has happened to me ladt february me and my friend also got caught it was an awfull experience and i know il never do it again everytime i think about it gives me the shakes i really regretted it after and i was so lucky to only get a reprimand. at least you can say its over now good luck to the future x
Georginaaa, 14
my mate always shoplifted and never even took any money in town but always came back wiht loads of stuff. one day she bought me and my freind a necklace each so we wore them into town the next day, we were in a shop and this gaurd said 'theyre acctually wearing them!' and we turned around and the whole staff were on there way to grab us. we were so shocked we both burst into tears and when we explaiond what happened they let us off and we gave back the necklaces. we didnt talk to her again. i tihnk its good of yiou that you understand what you did was wrong because in the end someones got to pay for the stuff that was nicked.
Danni, 15
I know what this feels like, i've done it before. My mum was so disapointed, i'm not allowed to see them friends anymore and I was grounded for months. The worst part was seeing how disapointed everyone was in me... No-one trusted me for a while..
Chlo, 13
Think yourself lucky. I got took to the police station where i had to go through several interviews and finger printing. Then my parents had to pick me up in the station and the disappointment in their eyes was close to unbearable. I have a criminal record for 3 more years. I'm glad i got caught though because i know i will never ever shop lift again
Shivvs, 13
Wow, Emily. It must have taken you alot of guts to do that, and then to write about it afterwards. You shouldn't have done it, but atleast you know that now. Good luck in the future, and I hope you eventually do find the job of your dreams without letting your record getting in the way (:
Sarah, 15
You done an bad thing. But at least you learnt your lesson. Let hope you dont go back down that road again :) x
Sue xx, 14
What you did was wrong, but you now regret it, and that's good. Some people just do it again! Well done for getting through it.
Nhung, 14
I'm glad you felt a pang of guilt when you put it in your back but I'm more glad you put it back. =)I mean, the bets thing to do is save, really. Because if it's REALLY good, it's worth teh wait. =)Love ya! xox
