A prolific shoplifter who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods in a four-month spree has been jailed and handed sweeping bans from supermarkets and an entire London borough.

Winston Wright, 44, of Lewisham, was arrested on March 20 in Deptford High Street after being recognised by a police officer. CCTV evidence linked him to multiple thefts across southeast London.

Shoplifting Spree Ends in Court

Wright pleaded guilty to eight counts of shoplifting and one count of commercial burglary at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on May 6.

Over the course of four months, Wright targeted nearby shops including Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op locations. Police confirmed his crimes amounted to a haul exceeding £2,500.

Court Sentence and Ban Details

Wright was:

• Jailed for three months
• Fined £200
• Banned from all Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op stores in England and Wales for three years
• Prohibited from entering the Royal Borough of Greenwich for three years

Met Police Crackdown on Shoplifting

Wright’s conviction comes amid a Metropolitan Police crackdown on shoplifting, which has surged across London. The force’s current strategy focuses on neighbourhood policing, tackling high-volume, low-level crimes that erode public confidence.

A Met spokesperson said:

"This case highlights the success of proactive, local policing. By working closely with businesses and analysing CCTV, officers were able to stop a repeat offender and help protect our communities."

More from: Croydon Magistrates Court · Metropolitan Police · neighbourhood policing