Am I Being Silly

[queenofmean]

I had a bit of an incident at work yesterday and right now at the present moment in time I don't want to go in and I absolutely love my job. I'm going to speak to my boss shortly - I'm not sure if I should report this to the police as nothing happened as such but I was worried about my own safety and funnily enough shoplifting.


Anyways this woman came in and I greeted her everything seemed normal she said 'I'm sorry I'm a bit drunk' thing is she didn't smell of alcohol, then she said hang on goes to the door and shouts on her partner. Comes back says again we're a bit drunk and he's got £600 on him don't want to lose him.

He comes in gave me the willies and my spidey senses were tingling. I began to watch them like a hawk.

A lady I know from serving a fair bit came in and I mouthed to her are you busy could you stay with me until they leave. She said ok and I served her and we chatted and watched this pair.

He then appeared at the edge of the counter to ask have I got scissors I said no. I'd also just put my bag away as my purse and iPad were clearly visable and he said oh am I making you uncomfortable I was a bit hostile and said no and he left. Lady stayed and said she'd pop back just wanted to let her son know she'd be a little late.

Drunk lady started talking and then was asking questions and I did my best to answer and tried in vain to get her to leave.

She bought some chocolate and started to leave so I started to close the door to make it look like I was closing - she eventually left and the lovely lady stayed until she was certain I was ok and they would come back.

I'm ok I was just wary...had there been other people there I'd have been ok but because I was alone and the 2 of them it concerned me.

Should I report this to the police as well as seeing what my boss says?

I'm a tough cookie when I want to be but 2 against one and you don't know what they are on is something else and I still feel anxious about going in to work.

[ummmm]

What will you report to the police? It doesn't appear that they've done anything wrong.

[queenofmean]

I'm not sure ummmm. The 'drunk/high' woman said to be he can be nasty when he's like this and not long after he wanted scissors.

I guess just to make them aware of these people - they may even already be aware.

From the way she was talking she may sell drugs - that concerned me too.

[ummmm]

They still haven't committed a crime though.

[dannyk13]

I agree with ummmm, There is nothing to report to the police.Try and forget it.

[queenofmean]

I know that but I did not feel safe with them.

I was always told growing up anything suspicious tell the police. It's just stuck with me.

The fact that they were high in public does that not warrant telling them if not for our safety but their own?

[Old_Geezer]

It was a risky situation but it turned out not to be an issue after all. I think you are simply nervous at what you imagine might have been.

Perhaps you can bring up the subject of health & safety, and being the only one there, with your boss when you talk. But I don't know the situation and more staff on may not be feasible. But maybe something can come out of the talk that can be done to make staff more at ease.

Otherwise it is a part of the job and you could always keep an eye out for alternative employment where you would feel safe.

[Old_Geezer]

No, lots of folk come out of the pub and are tipsy as they make their way. There's nothing to tell, nothing actually happened.

[donny48]

If being high in public warrants telling the police then how many do you report on a Saturday night in any town.

[queenofmean]

Thanks OG.

Sadly other staff on isn't really an option. But I'll speak to her today and see if we can come to some arrangement. Maybe even CCTV or something.

I'm just glad that lady came in when she did.

I know I'll be ok I just worry and I would hate it to happen to others.

[Jackdaw33]

To answer your original question: Yes, definitely.

[Georgiesmum]

No, you are not being silly at all, you definitely need someone else working in the shop with you, not just on your own. They sound like a really dodgy couple to me.

[murraymints]

At the very least you should have a panic bell /alarm behind counter..

[aelmpvw]

a drunken customer asks if you've got any scissors? no you're not being silly

[pastafreak]

In all the time you've been working there,how often has something like this happened? Chances are it's a one-off. They didn't actually do anything that's worth reporting,and the number of people on our streets who are high on something illegal or not is many. Just be wary but don't jump to conclusions.

[pastafreak]

Plus 1 for a panic bell...You might feel more secure.
As for another full time employee with you,that probably is not afordable if it's a small business.

[ummmm]

Don't ever get a job in a pub!

[hc4361]

You need to take control of situations. If a customer makes you feel uncomfortable and there is nobody else in the shop be polite but firm - you need to close the shop for 10 minutes and will they please leave. An urgent toilet break worked well for me in the past.
Do not leave any of your personal valuables where they can be taken or seen - that will be something less to worry about.
If there are shops next door get on good terms with them so you can share information and help each other.

[queenofmean]

Just spoken with my boss. Turns out this couple are banned from entering the shop as they have stolen from us before. So it looks like it will be reported for a breach of banning order.

We are going to look into methods to ensure our safety.

Pasta this hasn't happened to me here before and it is actually quite rare anything like this happens here.

I will do hc I am very friendly with 3 of the girls in the shop tomour left but they close on a Thursday afternoon. I'll make a point of getting to know the cleaners next door too.

Will see how it goes :)

[hc4361]

Hope you have good CCTV in the shop. :)

[queenofmean]

I won't lie hc right now we have nothing