Police crack down on retail theft and anti-social behaviour in Dereham
Multiple arrests made over two-day operation targeting shoplifting and drug-related offences
Police in Dereham have carried out a focused operation to tackle anti-social behaviour and retail theft, resulting in several arrests across the town on 27 and 28 April 2026.
The enforcement activity led to six individuals being detained and charged with a range of offences, including shoplifting, drug possession, and breaches of community protection orders.
On the morning of 27 April, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of retail theft and breaching a Community Protection Notice.
He was later identified as Tommy Cann, 44, of Orchard Close, North Elmham. Cann has been charged with two counts of shop theft and one count of breaching the notice.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 28 April.
Later that morning, officers arrested a man in his 30s at Dereham Market Place.
Joe Brown, 35, of no fixed address in Norwich, has since been charged with two counts of shop theft and possession of class C drugs.
He was also remanded in custody and appeared before magistrates on 28 April.
Around midday on the same day, Andrew Ghey, 51, of The Maltings, Dereham, was arrested on Nelson Place. He has been charged with two counts of stealing from shops and was remanded to appear in court on 28 April.
Police activity continued into 28 April, when a man in his 20s was arrested at Dereham Market Place on suspicion of retail theft and possession of class B drugs.
Jakub Jurczyk, 26, of no fixed address in Dereham, has been charged with shop theft and possession of ketamine. He remains in custody and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 29 April.
At the same time, a man in his 50s was arrested in Queen Mother’s Gardens. Tony Purle, 50, of no fixed address in Dereham, faces three counts of shop theft. He has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on 30 June 2026.
In a separate incident, Holly Rowbotham, 41, of Humbletoft Road, Dereham, was arrested at Dereham Market Place on suspicion of shop theft. She has been charged with one count of stealing from a shop and released on bail. Her court appearance is set for 26 June 2026.
The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by local police to address retail crime and improve safety in the town centre.