criminal-law theft austria
What is a store detective allowed to do?
<p>A couple of days ago I came into contact with a store detective after a quite expensive shopping trip. The shoplifting gate-thingy went off (there's more to it but no need to drag it out) and when I was already outside, the store detective approached me, eventually even grabbed me and tried to rip my shopping bag off my shoulder. I had to call for help and the guy only let go when he saw other people approaching to help me.</p>
<p>He was later joined by a second &quot;detective&quot; and they both refused to let me leave (cornered me in front of a different store) - they didn't even want to let me use the toilet. Eventually the police showed up, checked my bag (the second &quot;detective&quot; looked at the receipt to check) and proved that I indeed hadn't stolen anything, as I'd said at least 10 times.</p>
<p>I can't find any information about Austria, so I hope that someone here'll be able to help me: What is a store detective legally allowed to do?</p>
<ol>
<li>Do I have to answer any questions (e.g. if I bought anything at that store)?</li>
<li>Do I have to show them a receipt?</li>
<li>Are they allowed to check my backpack/shopping bag/... without my permission?</li>
<li>Are they allowed to grab someone without consent?</li>
<li>Are they allowed to take away a bag forcefully?</li>
<li>Are they allowed to follow me outside the shop?</li>
<li>When the police show up, does any of that change or are only they allowed to check my bag,...?</li>
</ol>
<p>So basically: What can I do now? I'm not physically hurt but I'm completely over the place since then - not sleeping well, getting kind of shaky when I think about this (and incredibly angry)?</p>

<p>Here is what the <a href="https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/dokumente_und_recht/strafrecht/5/Seite.2460402.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Austrian law</a> says in this case (Google translation):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Bag control in the supermarket: There is no obligation to have your
bag checked by supermarket staff or security guards. If there is a
reasonable suspicion, the supermarket staff can ask a suspect to wait
for the police to arrive. The police can then check the bag.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In this <a href="https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/wirtschaft/oesterreich/88249-Wie-weit-darf-der-Kaufhausdetektiv-eigentlich-gehen.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Austrian newspaper article (in German)</a> they say about this topic</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If a person is injured during the arrest because of a low value item
or if an expensive item is damaged, the detective might be liable for it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As long as they don't start searching your bags, they are allowed to hold on to you till police arrives. I would complain to the shop owner about the detectives and their behavior via mail, this is probably the most efficient thing what one can do.</p>
