Rosemma, 51, accused of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour
CUSTOMER Rosemma Fappani has told how she was ‘humiliated’ by Lidl staff - after being wrongly accused of shoplifting.
Shop staff apprehended the 51-year-old after suspecting she had been shoplifting and then called in police when she challenged them.
But Staffordshire Police are taking no further action after being called to the Leek store following the report of ‘antisocial behaviour.’
Now Lidl has ‘apologised for any confusion.’
Rosemma had been shopping at the Portland Street branch since October without any issue.
But that changed during the coronavirus lockdown when she discovered she did not have her bank card and left her shopping behind to go home to get it. When she returned to the store she says she was stopped from going inside and accused of shoplifting.
She said: “I came back to get my shopping and there were men standing in front of me holding a basket and stopping my entry.
“I was crying in the car park demanding to know what was wrong.
“They told me I had been stealing and that I was banned from the store.
“People were going in and out and they were stopping and looking at me. It was a big scene.
“A spectacle was created and I was humiliated.”
It is understood that the situation was a case of mistaken identity. Rosemma is on antidepressants and says the incident has left her feeling upset and paranoid when she goes shopping.
She added: “It’s completely ridiculous that you shop there every day and then get treated like that.
“There was no footage or witnesses to back up their claim. I am considering seeking compensation because it was so disturbing.”
Police have confirmed that they are not taking any action.
A police spokesman said: “Police were called to Lidl following a report of anti-social behaviour. Officers attended. However, no further complaints were made or offences disclosed.”
Lidl has defended its decision to call in the police.
A Lidl spokesman said: “We apologise for any confusion that may have been caused.
“The decision to alert the police is never one taken lightly.
However, under no circumstances, do we tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour towards our colleagues, and particularly not during a time when our teams are going above and beyond to maintain a safe and positive environment for customers.”