A prolific shoplifter who stole more than £100,000 worth of goods from Boots stores across Kensington and Chelsea has been jailed for 12 months.
Liam Hutchinson, 32, carried out 99 offences between May and August this year, repeatedly targeting stores for high-value electrical items.
The Metropolitan Police worked with staff members at all of the stores Hutchinson targeted, reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, images, and statements to build a case against him.
Hutchinson was jailed for 12 months at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from every Boots store in the UK for ten years.
He is also banned from entering the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for the next five years.
Sergeant Jack Vine, who led the investigation, said Hutchinson’s thieving spree cost the High Street retailer a total of £107,000 in revenue.
“We recognised the impact Hutchinson’s actions were having on the retailer, and through working with staff, we built a strong case of evidence against him, which has been reflected in his sentencing,” Sgt Vine said.
“This result should act as a warning that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated, and that we will come down hard on those who show a complete disregard for the law, terrorise retail workers and cost businesses thousands of pounds.”
Nicky Harrop, Head of Security, Fraud and Contract Management at Boots, said: “We have been investing significantly in measures that will deter and disrupt criminal activity, stop theft, protect our team members, and support the police with high-quality evidence.
“Tackling the growing levels of retail crime is a collaborative effort, so we’re pleased to work alongside the Metropolitan Police to ensure our stores remain a safe and respectful environment for our team members and customers.”
Met Police says it has solved 163 per cent more shoplifting cases across London compared to the same period last year thanks to intelligence-led operations and increased patrols.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for tackling retail crime, said: “Shoplifting is an injustice in our communities and causes fear and loss to retail workers and businesses, and we are more determined than ever to ensure we are gathering more evidence of multiple offences in order to get more convictions and stronger sentences for those responsible.
“This is another shining example of great work by Met officers to achieve this, and through their efforts, we’ve been able to remove another prolific shoplifter from our streets, utilising the power of Community Behaviour Orders to prevent him causing further misery in the local community.”
Town centres and hotspot areas across London will continue to see an enhanced police presence as part of the Home Office’s Safer Summer Streets campaign running until the end of September, the force has said.
