How spiteful some people are in their response. Havey they never used the office phone or used office stationery?

Di, chiswick,

They did nothing wrong, it was an innocent mistake. Sharon is a wonderful person with a lovely family and it is terrible to see how people react without knowing the facts. If you knew her you would know how awful things are for her after years of hard work to get to where she is now.

maggie, Brighton, sx.

Di, why do you hope they will not be charged? Do you believe power should overrule justice?

Marco, Kraków, Poland

Oh dear What a big deal!!! THE POLICE OFFICERS RISK THEIR LIVES FOR US AND NOW A MINORITY OF PEOPLE WILL BE PLEASED ABOUT THIS PECCADILLO. Shame on them. As for me I hope it all ends OK and they will not be charged owith this 'henious crime' !!

Di, chiswick,

There are more "serving" coppers with criminal records than there are football hooligans on banning orders. About 3,000.

Crimes range from being dunk and disorderly, violence, theft and money laundering.

According to a Freedom of Information report.

Why is anyone surprised?

George Dixon, Dock Green,

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet and Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe, of Sussex Police...

"We cannot confirm their names or ranks"

???

Sascha, London,

Why do we need to know what happened to his daughter and how he reacted? Irrelevant information to the story. Does not pull on my heartstrings or excuse what he may or may not have done.

Faye, London, UK

Any need to print their names before they've even been tried?

Laura, London,

Having worked in one of the security teams for M&S (we were contractors, not their staff) I know how things went in the stores I worked in. Before a stop is made you must see the approach, selection and exit without paying. I saw numerous people lose their jobs for not following this criteria.

oldGuard, newcastle,

Surely you can conclude that the issues are unclear to those investigating (for they would be obliged to charge if they thought they had good evidence)? Let us not blight careers too soon. Sensible people should not rush to make any judgment. Leave that to the Court - if the case gets that far.

Phil Clarke, Haywards Heath Sussex,

I remember a piece in the Mail a few years ago about people (described as being from "east of eden") touring the food dept of M&S in Kensington, eating things, then leaving without paying. I know it's true, because I worked just across the road at the time. Never heard of any arrests though....

j griffiths, manchester, england

Unlike Josh from Leeds I rather hope that the normal rule of 'Innocent until proven guilty' will continue to apply.
Let's remember that Security Guards like all of us can make mistakes, and there is a whole world of difference between 'an allegation, 'an arrest' and a conviction.

Barry Purkis, Havant, England

Well done to the M&S security guards who are not afraid to apprehend shoplifters whether police officers or not. Justice must be seen to be done without fear or favour.

peter, worthing,

Hahahaha.

Police who break the law should have garenteed jail time, with the general jail population.

particularily any who break the speed limit "testing" their cars, or steal bottles of wine.

I hope they both get sent down

josh, leeds,