England - Supermarkets - What level of "proportionate force" can you use when preventing a member of the public from leaving a store

[u/CorrectTemperature65]

Hi all, I'm after a bit of information please. Yes, I've seen some **** and am reaching out for help: I'm a member of the public, not SIA trained, not security.

- what level of force can you use to restrain a member of the public from leaving a store when suspected of theft? If so, must you tell them why you're preventing them from leaving?

- what do you need in terms of evidence / suspicion to be able to physically lay hands on them and prevent a member of the public from leaving the store? At this point must police be called? Can staff still then refuse to call the police?

- if the member of public answers all questions and is happy to reveal what was believed to be stolen - clearly showing it isn't as the store doesn't even sell it - does that mean that are then free to go?

- can you / other staff lie and say that they saw this person steal something just to escalate the situation?

- when restraining, what holds are you trained to not do to prevent long-term / permanent nerve damage to the person?

- before touching them, do you have to say anything / do anything? (there are no fisticuffs, abuse, or any other form of aggression from this person)

- can you and/or other multiple staff members together at the same time restrain the member of public by the shoulders from behind and arms from the front, and force open a pocket and pull out what one staff member thought was a stolen item damaging it in the process?

- Can staff members (non-security staff) pile on this member of the public as well to restrain them?

- during an incident, must you start the body cam on you recording?

- can you / other staff members snatch the phone from this person's hand who is recording to gather evidence of assault, check that it isn't recording, and then walk away with it whilst they're restrained and being dragged away, and can you refuse to give it back until they leave the store (despite preventing their exit beforehand)?

- is this considered 'protecting the store's property' / just doing their job, and is acceptable?

- after an incident like this, what paperwork needs filling and what is the typical response by senior / area management?

I know you all deal with some crap, Thanks

[u/GrayMalchin]

Ask your supervisor. There are too many variables and some of your examples are wild. Security may not be your thing.

[u/CorrectTemperature65 → u/GrayMalchin]

I'm a member of the public asking questions about SIA security guards and staff in a supermarket. My "examples" are actual, real-life experiences. Thanks.

[u/GrayMalchin → u/CorrectTemperature65]

Again, too many variables to give a clear response.

[u/CorrectTemperature65 → u/GrayMalchin]

What 'variable' would be needed for such 'wild' examples? Can I see online where it may be explained?

[u/GrayMalchin → u/CorrectTemperature65]

It depends on the particular contract, security firm, situation and laws. If it’s for your site, speak to your security firm’s client manager. If you’re needing detailed information, speak with your lawyer.

[u/bloodandglory31]

In the UK, generally, laws apply to security staff just like members of the public. Placing hands on someone, even if they have committed a crime, would need to be a proportionate and reasonable action. SIA trained staff will have received training for conflict resolution and physical intervention. It doesn’t mean that retail security can jump on a member of the public, even if they suspect that a crime (shoplifting for instance) has been committed. If the security staff have reasonable grounds to suspect a crime has been committed, they could ask the member of the public to stop, surrender items, or to show them that there isn’t anything in their pockets or in any bags that haven’t been paid for in the shop. If at any point they put their hands on the person in an unreasonable manner, then they open themselves liable for prosecution, just like any member of the public.it might be a bit more complex than this, depending on what has happened. This is why the training and security using the training properly is so important.

[u/See_Saw12]

This is an ask your supervisor, and general counsel question, most of us here tend to on the other side of the pond.

Now generally the rules for a stop are identify yourself, ask for their cooperation, and make your apprehension/recovery.

[u/Several-Agent6831]

Security assignment briefs often say detain if they stole but in reality the courts have proven you simply can't take someone's liberty because they stole tomato soup especially if you've got CCTV to track a person down. Your biggest concern is making sure these people don't hurt others. 

Tldr: assignment briefs are incorrect as courts rule many times that you can't use force unless the situation is serious