A former heroin addict once branded Birmingham’s most prolific shoplifter is now helping others through a pioneering police-led recovery programme aimed at tackling the root cause of shop theft and related crime.
Keeley Knowles, 42, whose criminal record includes 28 prison sentences for shoplifting, says she is now 18 months clean thanks to the Offending to Recovery programme run by West Midlands Police.
“I thought I was unfixable,” she told the BBC. “I have no doubt in my mind that I would have died.”
For nearly 30 years, Knowles stole goods daily to fund her drug addiction, often targeting specific shops and selling stolen items to buy heroin, BBC reported.
“Every day would roll into one,” she said. “I’d wake up with a shop in mind, steal, score, use — and do it all over again.”
The Offending 2 Recovery initiative, launched in Erdington in 2018, is designed to address the link between drug addiction and acquisitive crime. Police research found that addiction to heroin and crack cocaine was a driver in around 50 per cent of such crimes in the area, with an estimated 70 per cent of shop thefts committed by individuals struggling with substance misuse.
Unlike traditional enforcement approaches, the scheme offers targeted support, including medical treatment and rehabilitation, with funding from local councils, businesses, and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Knowles now works alongside the programme, conducting outreach and giving talks about Buvidal — a long-acting opioid treatment that has helped stabilise her recovery.
The programme is currently being rolled out to Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. West Midlands Police say early signs from Coventry have been encouraging.
“We’re six months in and seeing a great impact,” said Det Ch Insp Katy Chapman. “Businesses can refer people directly to the scheme. It helps build confidence within communities and gives us another tool to stop repeat offending.”
Knowles has since reconnected with her family and recently won the National Business Crime Solutions award for her outreach work.
