Blitz on retail crime in Doncaster sees 50 shoplifters convicted and 14 years of prison sentences handed out
In total, 46 people have been convicted for shoplifting in the Doncaster Central NPT area since the start of May
Neighbourhood officers policing the centre of Doncaster are continuing to crackdown on retail crime with nearly 50 shoplifters convicted and over 14 years of prison sentences handed out to offenders since the start of May.
Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has its own dedicated retail crime unit, which combines high-visibility patrols in the city centre and surrounding area with important behind the scenes work.
This work has seen officers gather crucial knowledge on prolific offenders and their patterns of offending, with this information shared among retailers and partners.
High visibility patrols in the city centre allow officers to build connections and a rapport with local businesses, while also responding to thefts in progress.
The continued efforts of the unit and supporting officers has resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in the number of shoplifting offences in the centre of Doncaster over the past three months, with prolific offenders arrested and brought before the courts.
In total, 46 people have been convicted for shoplifting in the Doncaster Central NPT area since the start of May.
As well as helping to secure prison sentences, officers have sought to obtain additional punishments for repeat offenders in the form of criminal behaviour orders (CBOs).
These prohibit prolific shoplifters from entering stores they have repeatedly targeted as part of their offending and give further protection to retail stores, their employees and shoppers.
An investigation into Katie Hudson led to her being given a three-year CBO which bans her from entering any One Stop store in South Yorkshire, with Christopher Sanderson, 29, of no fixed abode, also given a three-year CBO after he was handed a six-week prison sentence at Doncaster Magistrates' Court on Monday (13 July).
Sanderson must not enter the Tesco store on Wentworth Road in Doncaster nor Boots in the Frenchgate Centre, with this order set to remain in place until 13 July 2029.
If either Hudson or Sanderson enter the stores they are banned from upon being released from prison, they could find themselves back in jail and police urge anyone who spots them breaking the terms of their CBOs to contact them on 101 or make a report via the website.
As it stands, there are currently 21 shoplifters who are subject to CBOs and banned from certain stores within the Doncaster Central NPT area.
Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Lisa Bird said: "We understand and recognise bu
sinesses' frustration when it comes to shoplifters and we're keen to continue working alongside them and other key partners to clamp down on retail crime.
"The connections we've forged with local and national retailers and the systems we've developed to tackle retail crime continue to get stronger and offenders being brought before the courts has correlated with a reduction in the number of recorded theft offences.
"Shoplifting isn't a victimless crime - it affects the local economy and local businesses, puts shop workers and shoppers at risk of harm and creates uneasiness in the community.
"It won't be tolerated and I continue to urge any business who has been a victim of theft to please report it to us.
"We will investigate every single shoplifting offence reported to us, regardless of the value of what has been stolen, and the sooner we know, the sooner we can act."
How to report shoplifting offences to us
If a shoplifter has targeted your business, please report it to us immediately. If a crime is in progress, always call 999. Otherwise, please call us on the non-emergency 101 number or make a report via our website.