Wall of Shame

The Bargain Warehouse in Ipswich Queensland has found itself in the news with public shaming of shop lifting offenders. Photos taken from CCTV were pasted on the shop front window and then the owner of the shop Visha Patel would only remove the offenders photos once they had paid a $100 AUD fee. Mr Patel says the fee would be paid to the local Rotary club. Local councillor Paul Tully became aware of the wall of shame and made a complaint. Some of the offenders were children and under Queensland law section 301 of the Juvenile Act (1992) it is an offence to identify a child investigated or convicted of a criminal offence.
"It is absolutely reprehensible that these children have had their pictures displayed so publicly," Cr Tully said.

"I think anyone featured should consult a lawyer and see if they can sue them."

The shop owners face fines themselves for naming and shaming offenders.
It is not just children who are committing stealing offences but adults as well.
Most of these children if caught will get a slap on the wrist. Who is accountable, the children or the parents? Both! Most children know that it is wrong to steal and yet when repeat offenders continue to steal from a business trying to make a living, one can imagine the sheer frustration of the shop owner. It is laughable of Paul Tully to advise those shamed to sue. If you are caught stealing how can it be possible to sue the place from which you stole from? Yes, most kids will nick something in their lifetime, it seems to be a rite that most go through but that is no consolation to the Bargain Warehouse.

WallofShame,CourierMail