More than 100 weeks of prison sentences after Sandwell shop theft crackdown
A dedicated retail crime team says it is targeting repeat shop theft in Sandwell South.
More than 100 weeks of prison time has been handed out following a crackdown on shop theft in Sandwell South.
A dedicated retail crime team has charged a number of people in the last three months as part of work to tackle repeat offending against businesses and shops.
Police say the results from the first months of the year include several prison sentences for shop theft offences.
- A 39-year-old woman was jailed for 26 weeks after committing three shop theft offences.
- A 34-year-old man was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for six shop theft offences.
- A 39-year-old man was jailed for eight months after committing eight shop theft offences.
- Another man, aged 34, was jailed for more than eight months after breaching a criminal behaviour order and committing six shop thefts.
Police have also confirmed that Alexander Shaw, aged 35 and from Birmingham, has been charged with 15 shop theft offences.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at court in May.
A 26-year-old woman from Wolverhampton has also been charged with four shop theft offences and is due to appear in court this month.
Sgt Jason Walters, from the Sandwell South Retail Crime Team, said: “We have had some really good results and we are determined to pursue those who are persistently targeting businesses and shops.
“We work closely with local businesses which has enabled us to really understand the impact of retail crime.
“If you work in the retail sector and are experiencing shop theft in your workplace you need to report it to us. No one should feel intimidated at work, and no one should feel threatened.”
Anyone wanting to report shop theft can call police on 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.