Key Points
- Magistrates granted a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) to prolific shoplifter Adam Wright, prohibiting him from entering numerous supermarkets in Leicestershire.
- Wright must not enter Tesco, Sainsburys, or the Co-op branches in Leicestershire, and must leave any retail premises if asked by staff.
- Police are using CBOs as a powerful tool to deter persistent shoplifters and rely on community reports to enforce these orders.
Magistrates have handed a prolific shoplifter a criminal behaviour order (CBO) which prohibits him from entering scores of supermarkets across Leicestershire.
Adam Wright, 36, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on 13 June, where the three-year order was granted following an application by officers from the Hinckley and Blaby Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA).
The application was made following an investigation into seven reports of theft from a shop that occurred in Hinckley between 4 May and 6 June this year.
The conditions of the order state Wright, of no fixed abode, must not enter any branches of Tesco, Sainsburys or the Co-op within Leicestershire.
He also must not remain in any shop, store or retail premises if asked to leave by a member of staff and must not be abusive towards them.
At the same court hearing, Wright was sentenced to a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months after pleading guilty to seven counts of theft from a shop.
Sergeant Aaron Biggs, from the Hinckley and Blaby NPA, said: “Shoplifting has a serious impact on businesses and criminal behaviour orders are a very powerful tool in policing and can be applied for several different issues.
“Wright’s conditions make it a criminal offence to enter any branches of three major supermarkets and he must leave any retail premises he enters if asked by staff.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the local businesses and those in the community who report incidents related to this CBO. They are an important resource in supporting us in actioning a CBO so the relevant action can be taken if any breaches are committed.”
Police forces have been increasingly using CBOs, legal orders traditionally used for anti-social behaviour, to deter persistent shoplifters.
