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BBC Radio 5 Live

5 live Investigates

5 Live Investigates

Factual: Consumer

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism, as well as taking on listeners' campaigns and consumer issues

5 Live Investigates: Civil Recovery - High Street Justice?

09/01/2011

Civil Recovery - High Street Justice?

BBC Radio 5 Live - 5 Live Investigates, Civil Recovery - High Street Justice?

How high street shops are seeking compensation from shoplifters outside the court system.

Shops are using 'civil recovery' to directly claim compensation from suspected shoplifters, but critics are concerned that companies are seeking justice outside the legal system.

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism, as well as taking on listeners' campaigns and consumer issues

High street shops are using 'civil recovery' procedures to seek compensation from suspected shoplifters - a vital process as some claim the courts are not interested in petty theft, which costs businesses millions of pounds a year. But should 'justice' be pursued by private companies? And should people be compelled to pay financial compensation without any official legal due process? Adrian Goldberg speaks to in-store security teams and civil recovery firms about the need to employ this increasingly common practice, and also hears from members of the public who are being pursued for compensation, when they - and the police - say they did nothing wrong. 

Also, as three Pakistan cricketers face an International Cricket Council tribunal in Qatar over allegations of match fixing, 5 live Investigates hears how the Professional Cricket Association is keeping tabs on players as it tries to spot those most vulnerable to the match-fixers - and in some instances paying off players debts to prevent them from falling prey to betting gangs. 

And are you paying too much council tax? 5 live Investigates reveals how you can check what your neighbours are paying and how you can appeal to pay a lower rate. 

If you have a story you want the team to investigate email goldberg@bbc.co.uk.

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