Prolific shoplifter sentenced to prison, Plymouth
As part of Devon & Cornwall Police’s commitment to safeguarding local businesses, a persistent shoplifter has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after a series of thefts from various retailers around Plymouth.
Police in Plymouth worked closely with local businesses impacted by the crimes, gathering strong evidence to pursue the offender. The man pleaded guilty to five shoplifting offences and one count of handling stolen goods, receiving a 20-week prison sentence. The shops involved also received compensation for the thefts.
Inspector Paul Laity, who heads up the team of neighbourhood officers leading the investigation, said: “The outcome of this case has been a positive one for all those who have been affected. By working together with local businesses, we’ve successfully taken a prolific offender off the street who has caused harm to our community and in turn, given peace of mind to local businesses.
“Shoplifting can have a significant financial impact on businesses, as well as a negative impact on the wellbeing and livelihoods of employees. We take these crimes seriously and officers continue to listen to the voices in our city to address this problem head-on. We want to send a clear message that shoplifting will not be tolerated in Plymouth.
“We understand that this sentence is just one piece of the puzzle in targeting the problem, which is why we work alongside local partners to address the longer-term issues connected with shoplifting. As part of this, teams also make sure the correct support is in place for offenders upon their release to prevent reoffending.
“Police officers remain present on the streets of Plymouth, conducting high visibility patrols in key areas at various times of day to deter crime, pursue offenders and reassure communities. During patrols, officers engage with local shops to strengthen relationships and encourage reporting. Crime prevention advice is also shared with employees.
“Reports from the public are an essential part of our investigations into shoplifting,” Insp Laity added, “without them, we can’t build an accurate picture of where and when offenders are targeting. So please continue to come forward and share any information you have. I hope this positive result shows our community that we take reports seriously and are taking action to actively pursue criminals.”
Useful crime prevention advice is available on the Devon & Cornwall Police website to protect businesses from shoplifting.
If you have any information or concerns about crime in your area, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police online via the website or by calling 101. If a crime is taking place, call 999. You can also report information anonymously to Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555111.
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