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A prolific shoplifter has been jailed for more than two years following a number of shoplifting incidents in East Sussex. Aron Croft was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment when he appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 18 April. Croft pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, two counts of shoplifting and one count of using threatening behaviour to cause distress when he appeared before court on 21 September. The court heard that in 2023, Croft went on a shoplifting spree in Kent and East Sussex. On 8 February 2023, Croft entered the Co-op in Cranbrook, Kent and stole spirits worth […]

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from a string of high street stores after running away with food, toiletries and clothes. Samantha Clarke has been banned from Primark, Greggs, Boots and Kokoro following the thefts in Hastings. On Friday, November 24, Clarke stole £89 worth of clothes and other goods from Primark in Priory Meadow, Hastings. Four days later she stole toiletries worth £237 from Boots, also in Priory Meadow. Just over two weeks later on December 12 Clarke returned and stole more toiletries, worth £205. Clarke appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on March 1. She was also accused of stealing […]

With the opening of a new police hub in the town centre this week, police have outlined their plans for tackling crime such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Richard Breeze said: “The main priorities are to combat business crime, such as shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour and drug related crime. “Another one is hidden crime, such as human trafficking, exploitation, this could be through very low wages or the sex industry. “There can be a link between dugs and shoplifting and we are looking to directly tackle high profile individuals, really concentrating our effort, and we have had […]

Rona Colvin, 40, of St Helens Crescent, repeatedly targeted businesses in the town and was charged with 11 counts of shoplifting and one count of assault for offences between December 23 and February 10, Sussex Police said. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on February 12, Colvin was sentenced to 14 weeks’ imprisonment having pleaded guilty to all offences, police said. Police added that Colvin targeted Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Primark, and Trespass, and stole more than £1,000 worth of items, including ski jackets and chocolate. On one occasion, she also assaulted a shop manager who tried to prevent her from stealing, […]

A “prolific shoplifter” has been sentenced after having pled guilty to 21 counts of theft which caused “significant harm” to businesses across East Sussex. Stephen Wood, 33, of no fixed address, had undertaken a number of separate shoplifting incidents and was sentenced to 10 months in prison, along with his suspended sentence which was activated, bringing his total prison time to 34 months. After he was reported for shoplifting, Sussex Police searched for the man and found him hiding in a garden shed after a member of the public called the police. He was arrested and charged with 21 counts […]

If you witness a crime, dial 999! We have been reminded by the police that whenever you witness a crime in progress – even a relatively low-value shop theft – you should call this in on 999. The only exception would be if you have detained a suspect on the premises, in which case, please use 101. The Susses Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne recently said in public: “Sussex Police recognise that theft is a crime that should receive an appropriate response and there is no minimum monetary threshold applied to what will, or will not be, investigated.” When […]

Sussex Police have been working with businesses across the county to take action against those stealing from shops and put measures in place to deter it from happening. Force business crime lead Chris Neilson said: “We will pursue those who persistently target and steal from our local businesses regardless of the value and type of goods.  It is not a victimless crime and impacts on local businesses and their customers. Shop workers who are there to help their customers should not suffer abuse, threats and even assault from those who believe it is acceptable to steal on a regular basis.  We […]

A man who repeatedly stole from shops and cars in Hastings and Bexhill has been banned from the town centre and also from supermarkets across the borough. On Wednesday (7 October) Brighton Magistrates’ Court imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on Scott Starr, 41, of no fixed address, following his conviction for a theft from Marks and Spencer in Hastings in February this year. The new two-year court order means he faces a further sentence of up to five years if he breaches its conditions. The application for the order came from Hastings and Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, who, […]

A notorious shoplifter who repeatedly targeted Marks & Spencers in Hastings is back in court. John Dalton, 51, of Croft Road, Hastings, pleaded guilty to stealing meat worth £35.75, from Tesco at Bexhill, on January 4. He also indicated guilty pleas to stealing three men’s coats worth £177 from Marks and Spencer at Hastings on November 12 and to stealing five men’s coats, worth £295, from the same store on November 6. He indicated guilty pleas to stealing eight men’s coats, worth £540, from Marks and Spencer at Hastings, on November 3 and to stealing three men’s jumpers, worth £90, […]