united-kingdom theft shoplifting
I bought a bottle of spirits with the security tag intact. Have I committed theft?
<p>I bought a bottle of spirits from a local supermarket, when I got home I noticed the <a href="https://www.catalyst-direct.com/media/1080/bottlelox-product.jpg?width=1400&amp;mode=max" rel="nofollow noreferrer">BottleLox</a> anti-theft cap hadn't been removed.</p>
<p>I paid for my shopping (including the bottle!) at a self-service till, and the shop-assistant verified I was over 18 to purchase alcohol, however she didn't remove the tag, and nothing beeped at me when I left the store. The tag itself was around the neck of the bottle, inside a cardboard box.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Did I commit theft when I left the shop with their security tag? Or....</p>
</li>
<li><p>Since I legitimately purchased the bottle, and the tag was (at time
of purchase) intrinsically part of the bottle, can I assume I also
purchased the tag?</p>
</li>
</ul>

<p>Theft in the U.K. requires &quot;intention of permanently depriving the other of it&quot; (<a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Theft Act 1968</a>, s. 1).</p>
<p>A person not knowing they have a thing in their possession does not have the intention of depriving someone of that thing.</p>
