Category Archives: Shoplifting

The Swindon Advertiser reports that a serial shoplifter told police that he stole from a convenience store because a man had told him shoplifting was easy.

Marc Kevin Houston had 26 previous convictions – almost all of them for shoplifting – stole meat and cheese from a One Stop Shop in Pinehurst.

As reported on the Mail Online website, Australian self-service checkouts may soon offer ‘human conversation’ in a move to combat shoplifting in supermarkets.

Researchers from Queensland’s Univeristy of Technology believe the machines may soon offer personal greetings and friendly comments to guilt shoplifters out of stealing.

The Derby Telegraph carries a story of a sweet-toothed shoplifter who stole over £400 of chocolate from the same store in Derby in just three days.

Luke Austin walked into a One Stop store in Sinfin, on June 3, filled his rucksack with £80 of chocolate and left.

The Daily Star reports that gangs of thieves have cashed in on police cuts to put shoplifting at a five-year high, with retailers saying that crooks are becoming ever more brazen.

With thieves walking out of shops with trolleys full of stolen goods, store chiefs believe shoplifters think they are unlikely to be arrested.

The Yorkshire Times gives details of a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and BACIL (Business Against Crime in Leeds) to run a day of action to tackle shoplifting in the city centre.

Known as ‘Operation Balmton’, the manoeuvre consisted of police officers, PCSOs and plain clothed security officers working together in teams.

As reported in The Sun, a woman was caught stealing from supermarkets after staff recognised her from the Channel 5 show, Benefits By The Sea.

Sarah Jammeh took £30 of Sainsbury’s meat and £70 of chicken from a Tesco in Clacton, Essex.