A 51-year-old man, Simon Collins of St Michaels Road, has been sentenced to six months in jail following a shoplifting spree that specifically targeted Co-Op stores in Portsmouth. Collins faced a total of 28 shoplifting charges and admitted guilt to all of them during his hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 23.

The spree, which spanned from September 5 to October 24, saw Collins repeatedly stealing food items from ten different Co-Op locations across Portsmouth, including stores on Great Southsea Street, Twyford Avenue, and Fawcett Road. The stolen stock was valued at £1,925.

Shoplifting has been a pressing concern for the district, and law enforcement agencies have been taking active measures to address the issue, particularly when it involves violence towards staff or repeat offences.

In response, a dedicated city centre team, working closely with local businesses, including the Co-Op, has been established to combat shoplifting. These efforts have culminated in the arrest and sentencing of Simon Collins, sending a clear message to potential shoplifters.

Chief Inspector Paul Markham emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to making Portsmouth a safer place for residents, visitors, and businesses. He encouraged the public to continue reporting shoplifting incidents, as such reports help build stronger cases against prolific offenders.

Markham stated, “Business owners and shop staff should not have to come to work and face criminal behaviour. We’ve worked closely with the local Co-Op stores on this case to secure CCTV and statements that have assisted in securing this result at court. We hope that this sends a clear message to any shoplifters out there: continue to steal, and you will end up in court.

To assist in protecting businesses from shoplifting incidents, Chief Inspector Markham offered the following recommendations:

• Ensure that staff have access to appropriate security equipment, such as panic alarms.
• Maintain CCTV cameras in good working order, ensuring they provide optimal coverage and undergo annual servicing.
• Encourage staff to report any suspicious activity to the manager or the police, recording key details such as date, time, and a description of the person involved.

In conclusion, the community is encouraged to be vigilant and report all incidents promptly by calling 101 (non-emergency) or visiting the Hampshire Police website at https:///www.hampshire.police.uk. In case of a crime in progress, always dial 999.