Bedfordshire Police have charged 21 individuals with more than 330 offences since July in an ongoing crackdown on high street crime in Bedford.
Officers are now urging local people to help track down a number of wanted individuals connected to shoplifting offences across the town.
Repeat offenders
Anthony Hall, 44, of Meadway, was sentenced on Tuesday (13 October) to one year in prison after being charged with 20 shop thefts.
He was handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order prohibiting him from entering Rope Walk, St John’s and Alban retail parks, as well as BP garages on Newnham Avenue and in Elstow.
Darren Worton, 35, of no fixed abode, was sentenced last week (8 October) to 12 weeks in prison after being charged with 38 shop thefts.
Worton is now banned from B&M in Riverfield Drive, shops in Church Lane and Queens Drive, and the Newnham Avenue BP garage under a three-year order.
Town centre raids
The crackdown continued on Wednesday (14 October), with police arresting a man for five further shop thefts.
It follows a joint raid by police and Bedfordshire Trading Standards at Tech Experts on Tuesday (13 October) as part of Operation Machinize.
Officers seized £17,000 in cash, 161 bottles of counterfeit perfume, 170 illegal vape coils and 127 illegal cones during the search.
Read: Police raid Bedford town centre shop over suspected money laundering
Public support vital
Chief inspector Andy Smith said: “We recognise the significant impact that retail crime has on businesses, their staff and the wider community, and we are committed to using every tool available to disrupt and deter prolific offenders.”
“These results demonstrate the value of working together – the support of businesses and store staff has been instrumental in helping us build robust cases and secure positive outcomes through the courts.
“While custodial sentences play an important role in protecting businesses and the public, Criminal Behaviour Orders are also a valuable tool, enabling us to place strict restrictions on offenders to prevent further offending and reduce the harm they cause to our communities.
“We will continue to work proactively alongside retailers, partners and local communities to target those responsible for this type of offending, and we would encourage anyone with information or concerns to report them to us.”
“We are asking the public to help us to track down a number of individuals who have been responsible for causing harm to local businesses and are wanted in connection with shoplifting offences,” stressed Chief Inspector Smith.
“Anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of the following should contact us quoting the reference number against their name.”
Top row (l-r):
- David Riley – Ref: 40/57018/26
- Anthony Burgess – Ref: 40/54497/26
Bottom row (l-r)
- Jack McVicar -Ref: 40/68380/26
- Lewis Crowcher – Ref: 40/60283/26
- Nick Stramaglia – Ref: 40/55644/26
