Category Archives: Civil Recovery

The Surrey Police website reports that a man has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a seven-month bulk shoplifting spree across the country.

John Ward targeted Boots, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Co-op stores across Surrey, Thames Valley, Kent, London, Cleveland, Cheshire and Durham.

The HMRC website gives details of an accountant who abused his position to orchestrate a £1.7 million tax fraud – spending the stolen cash on lavish holidays and cars.

Kenneth Scott – jailed for four years – charged clients VAT but failed to pay it to HM Revenue and Customs.

According to the This Is Money website, the Co-op Group suffered £80 million in losses from shoplifting across its food business in 2024.

The group, which trades from over 2,300 food stores across Britain, has been one of the worst hit retailers with a marked increase in thefts in recent years.

The Mail Online website reports that a butler stole more than £200,000 worth of jewellery and luxury goods from his employer.

Andrew Stothard used his boss’ credit card to withdraw thousands of pounds to buy expensive gold and silver coins.

As reported on the Warwickshire Police website, five men who were working at a parcel courier company conspired to steal high-value items including computers, TVs and electric bikes.

The men placed new delivery labels over existing parcels, in order to get them delivered to addresses under their control.

The BBC News website reports that Devon and Cornwall Police have been working with CCTV control centres and business groups to coordinate responses to offenders who target stores on the high street.

By having officers in both locations they were better placed to react to shoplifting reports.