Officers target shop thieves during run up to Christmas

Officers in the St Helens and Knowsley areas are continuing to work with business owners in the run up to Christmas to reduce the number of retail thefts this festive season.

This involves educating staff, offering crime prevention advice and issuing ‘most wanted’ photos to help recognise repeat offenders as well as identifying vulnerable locations. Officers, specifically trained to liaise with shop owners and staff, have also been nominated to ensure evidence is recorded appropriately and charges for prolific offenders is secured at the earliest opportunity.

This way of working and sharing information with partners has resulted in a number of significant arrests including Lee Stuart, 29 of Fleet Street, St Helens. He was arrested on 26^th November where he was charged with 10 counts of theft and 10 counts of breaching his CBO. He has since been sent back to prison.

Dean Kermode, 36 from the St Helens area was arrested and charged with a theft on 4^th December and has been remanded in custody to appear at court on 21st January.

Lesley Crockett, 54 of Salerno Drive, Huyton, again a prolific shoplifter in the Knowsley area, was arrested on 13^th December and charged with one count of theft and sent to prison for 4 weeks.

Claire Middleton, 43 of Reflection Court, St Helens was arrested on 5^th December and charged with three counts of theft. She received a suspended sentence and was ordered to wear an electronic tag for 28 days.

Finally, John Rolt, 28 from the St Helens area was arrested on 14^th December. He was later charged with eight counts of theft and has been re-called to prison.

Anyone that thinks this type of criminal behaviour is on going in their area is urged to get in touch. Shop owners, staff members and the wider community should remain vigilant and by working together and sharing information, we can make St Helens and Knowsley a safer place to live, work and visit.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/.