A repeat shoplifter who stole £2,000 of soft drinks from one branch of Greggs has been given a suspended jail term – sparking fury from police.
asserted
who → steal → police
She appeared for sentencing at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, having admitted 80 offences, and was given a 26-week sentence suspended for 12 months.
asserted
She → appear → months
Under new rules aimed at easing prison overcrowding, almost all sentences of less than a year are suspended.
asserted
sentences → aim → year
Sergeant Chris Wilkinson, who led the investigation, said: “Our officers worked relentlessly over several months to build the evidence needed to bring this prolific offender before the courts.
asserted
officers → lead → courts
“Despite multiple arrests and repeated offences, we remained focused on securing a positive outcome for our community.
asserted
we → remain → community
Her persistent offending caused repeated distress to staff, harmed the business and placed a significant demand on police resources.
asserted
offending → cause → resources
“We recognise that courts are obliged to follow the guidelines on suspending sentences, but it’s obviously a disappointment that someone who we know has reoffended so frequently is now back out in the community.
asserted
we → recognise → community
”
O’Neill was repeatedly released on bail despite breaching her bail conditions and going back to the same branch of Greggs on Electric Avenue, Brixton, the force said, adding that officers had spent 120 hours on the case.
asserted
officers → release → case
She was also banned from entering the borough of Lambeth and was supposed to wear a GPS tag, however this was never fitted, and she failed to turn up to court on three occasions, having to be arrested each time.
asserted
she → ban → occasions
In addition to the suspended sentence, a Criminal Behaviour Order was issued, banning her from Brixton town centre and all Greggs stores in the UK for two years.
asserted
Order → suspend → years
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “A small number of prolific offenders continue to be responsible for the majority of crime and harm in our communities.
asserted
number → say → communities
Read More
“We are increasingly arresting the same people again and again when they ignored bail or licence conditions, not complied with their electronic tags, or in many cases all of the above.
asserted
they → read → above
“Our focus has to be on putting suspects before the courts.
asserted
focus → have → courts
We need the CPS, courts, prisons and probation to work with us to break the cycle of continued release and reoffending.
asserted
CPS → need → release
While we have made significant progress in tackling shoplifting, cases like this show why greater focus on prolific offenders remains essential and how police alone cannot fix this.”
asserted
police → make → this
Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, said the retailer is investing in technology including CCTV and a platform shared with law enforcement to track crime.
asserted
retailer → say → crime
She said: “We support efforts to apprehend repeat offenders, and we welcome calls for meaningful consequences for those who repeatedly target retailers.
asserted
who → say → retailers
“Importantly, we would like to see a renewed focus on positive interventions and services that prevent reoffending.”
asserted
that → like → reoffending
New plans to target 500 of the most prolific shoplifters in the UK were announced by the Home Office on Wednesday.
asserted
plans → target → Wednesday
Sixteen police forces are taking part in the year-long scheme, which will see them focus on serial offenders in their areas.
asserted
them → take → areas
A spokesman for charity Revolving Doors said repeat offending is often fuelled by addiction, mental health issues and homelessness.
asserted
offending → say → addiction
“The anger of retailers and shop workers is justified,” they said.
asserted
they → justify → retailers
“But if we want fewer thefts rather than just more arrests, we have to ask a harder question: why does the same small group of people keep cycling through crisis and custody repeatedly?
asserted
group → want → crisis
“The people we work with show that recovery and rebuilding lives are possible with the right support.
asserted
recovery → work → support
With treatment, a roof and someone who sticks with them, they stop.
asserted
they → stick → them
“Success should mean fewer repeat offences and safer communities, alongside more people able to recover, contribute and realise their potential.”
asserted
Success → mean → potential
The Aporia
