Civil recovery is a legal mechanism used to reclaim the proceeds of crime, sometimes in addition to or instead of criminal court proceedings. It's commonly utilized by retailers to recoup losses from theft and fraud, often demanding not only the value of stolen items but also operational costs like staff time and administration, even without police involvement. In the United Kingdom, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 established civil recovery powers, enabling agencies to seize assets from serious organized crime, money laundering, and drug trafficking, even without a criminal conviction, if deemed in the public interest.
While proponents argue it acts as a deterrent and recovers incurred costs—with over £80 million recovered in Scotland between 2003 and 2013—the practice faces significant criticism. The Citizens Advice Bureau, for instance, has highlighted potential abuses in its retail application. They cite cases, such as a Tesco employee allegedly stealing £4 but receiving a civil demand for £191.50 to cover "staff and management time" and "administration costs," as examples of disproportionate and exploitative demands.