Here to help

QI was in a gift shop the other day and I saw a young woman with two small children picking up and putting down several items having looked at the price. She then picked up two items and put them in her bag, and walked out of the shop. I’ve been worrying ever since if I was part of the crime, as I didn’t report her.

Name and address withheld

AIf you’re asking me about your legal obligation, you don’t have one as long as you’re not actively party to the crime. However, I think what you’re writing about is that you don’t feel you did the right thing. I wonder what held you back from reporting it? This may include fearing you might be verbally or physically attacked by the woman, or concern that she couldn’t afford the item. If you feel that you let the shop down, you could apologise. The important thing is to decide what you'd do if faced with the same situation again, so you can act in a way you’d like if it happens again.