Stourbridge serial shoplifter jailed

A serial shoplifter has been jailed after he looted close to  thousands of pounds worth of goods from  two convenience stores and a petrol station in Stourbridge.

According to local reports, Steven Parkes targeted two shops and a petrol station during his three-month binge crime spree. He was arrested by police on December 30 following a review of CCTV footage and enquiries in the community.

Parkes, of no fixed address, was jailed for ten and a half months at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 1, after pleading guilty to 23 counts of shoplifting.

Sergeant Imran Mohammed, from Stourbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team, said, “Parkes’ shoplifting binge cost local stores thousands of pounds worth of stock, but as well as the financial impact, his actions also caused distress to staff members so we’re pleased to see him locked up.

“We’re well aware of the disruption and upset that shoplifting causes and we work hard to identify and deal with those who are responsible. We’re also working with shops and other local businesses to provide crime prevention and safeguarding advice through the Stourbridge Business Watch group, which we helped launch last October.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police added, “Stourbridge Business Watch is made up of local businesses, ranging from beauty salons to food outlets and retailers, which meets on a monthly basis to discuss how they can cooperate for their benefit, and that of the local community, as well as working with us to deal with issues like crime and anti-social behaviour.”