A Sussex-wide operation to tackle prolific shoplifters has led to a significant increase in successful outcomes, including lengthy prison sentences.
"With shoplifting increased in Sussex, like it has nationally, we are making it a priority to work with businesses and other partners to prevent, detect and identify shoplifters.” said Sussex Police business crime lead Chris Neilson.
“A dedicated business crime team helps focus our response to organised retail crime through to local prolific offenders.
“Our operation sees us use every avenue available to tackle prolific shoplifters, change their behaviour and protect retailers.”
The outcomes, alongside charges, include prison sentences, civil orders and community resolutions aimed at managing offenders and bringing about behavioural change, including prohibiting them from entering premises to protect retailers and referrals to drug rehabilitation services.
Last year West Sussex saw successful outcomes increase by 78%, compared to the previous year. Brighton and Hove saw successful outcomes rise by 41% and East Sussex by 156%.
Recent sentences include:
Damien O’Hare, 48, of no fixed address, who was jailed for three years and three months for 26 counts of shoplifting, 22 counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order and one count of using insulting/threatening language.
He would target some stores in Crawley multiple times on the same day and when challenged, threatened to violently assault a member of staff.
Karlie Everson, 38, of Worthing, was jailed for 18 months last month for 13 counts of shoplifting, eight breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, possession of a Class A drug and for assault by beating after assaulting a member of retail staff.
On one occasion she stole £840 worth of stock in a single incident.
Lee Parnaby, 32, and Leander Fitzgerald, 30, of Eastbourne, stole items worth more than £5,000 combined during 44 shoplifting incidents in the town.
They were sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment each.
In January in Brighton David Jones was sentenced to six months' imprisonment after being convicted of 11 counts of shoplifting, 11 breaches of a criminal behaviour order and ordered to pay £228.
Darrell Allinson, 40, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 26 weeks' imprisonment after being convicted of eight counts of shoplifting and Akbar Karyani,46 of no fixed address, sentenced to 26 weeks' imprisonment for 10 counts of shoplifting and two breaches of a criminal behaviour order.
Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:
“I’m delighted at the recent outcomes from Operation Apprentice and these excellent results speak for themselves.
"It’s clear that Sussex Police are taking retail crime seriously, ensuring that our retailers and business-owners have the confidence to report crime secure in the knowledge that criminals will be apprehended and our high streets made safer."
Learn more about business crime, and what you can do to prevent or report it, here.
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