News

A girl of 12 was questioned by three police officers for more than an hour on suspicion of shoplifting at a Folkestone store after testing nail polish on her thumb.

Hannah Gilbert was in tears during the ordeal, which happened after she opened a pack on sale at Boots in Sandgate Road because there were no testers.

She was then kept in an office at the store and released only after her parents arrived and paid for the £6.29 peach Revlon bottle.

Mother Cheryl, 46, said: "Hannah was scared and crying. The whole approach was very heavy handed.

"I find it incredibly hard to believe this was the most serious incident going on for the police.

"Frankly, this country has gone crazy. This is the sort of thing that just makes me want to pack our bags and leave as soon as Hannah's finishing her schooling."

The incident happened earlier this month during a trip to the town centre. Hannah, who lives 10 miles away in St Mary's Bay, had only been allowed shopping on her own once before.

The Folkestone School for Girls' pupil said: "I went into the shop and saw a nail polish which I thought looked alright.

"There were no testers so I put a tiny bit on my thumbnail. The security guard walked up behind me and said I had to pay for it or it would be theft."

A Boots spokesman said the 12-year-old had been kept at the store until she could be released into her parents' care.

"These safety measures are in place to ensure our customers have a continued safe shopping environment," he added.