Man jailed and banned from over 900 businesses in Plymouth
A shoplifter who admitted to stealing more than £750 worth of goods in just over a month has been jailed and banned from certain shops in Plymouth upon his release.
Harleigh Chown, aged 29, of no fixed abode [Plymouth] appeared before Plymouth Magistrates' Court on 13 October where he pleaded guilty to 11 counts of shoplifting.
Chown admitted to a spree of offending where he repeatedly targeted Co-op and Tesco, stealing energy drinks, alcohol and confectionary between 3 September and 12 October 2026.
He has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and made subject of a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO).
The order bans him from entering any business that is part of the Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC), of which there are over 900, as well stepping foot in any Co-op or Morrisons Daily stores across Devon and Cornwall.
Failure to comply with the CBO can result in jail time.
Local police inspector Paul Laity said: “Chown had no consideration of the impact his behaviour was having on local businesses, their employees or the wider community.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. I hope this sends a clear message that shoplifting will not be tolerated and that we are making Plymouth a hostile place for offenders to operate in.
“Our officers continue to work closely with local partners and retailers in a bid to target those causing harm in our communities and put offenders before the courts.”
Insp Laity added: “I’d like to encourage everyone to please keep reporting. Your information is key in helping us to gather evidence to take the appropriate action to protect our local communities. Thank you.”
The full conditions of Chow’s CBO prohibit him from:
- Entering any Plymouth Against Retail Crime Member Store in the Plymouth area
- Entering any Co-op store in Devon and Cornwall
- Entering any Morrisons Daily store in Devon and Cornwall
- Being in a retail premises if requested to leave by any employee of that premises. He must leave immediately, returning any stock selected prior to the request, before doing so.
Businesses in Plymouth can sign up to Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC). It provides retailers with access to a reporting and information sharing system between police and other businesses, supporting with evidence gathering to help secure convictions: Plymouth Against Retail Crime - PARC.
You can report crime online or via the 101 non-emergency service or on the Devon & Cornwall Police website: Report a crime | Devon & Cornwall Police
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report anonymously via charity Crimestoppers: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers
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