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More criminals brought to justice in Surrey

Over the past year, Surrey Police has achieved a four-fold increase in the number of charges for shoplifting across the county, amounting to more than 800 cases.

A police officer converses with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey on a city street, both appearing engaged in discussion.



The Force’s arrest rate for these crimes has more than doubled, from around 10 per cent previously to around 24 per cent this year, and the solved outcome rate is around 23.5 per cent, up from 16 per cent last year, and 11 per cent the year before.

The Force’s lead for retail crime, Chief Superintendent Juliet Parker, said: “Our strategy sets out clear guidelines for our response to retail crime and our local teams are embedding this in their operational work.

“Retail crime is simply not fair. It can be volatile, dangerous, and fuels local illicit activities.

“Through clear cooperation and partnership working, the figures can be improved.

“We have made positive strides in this area, but there is more to do.”

What’s happening in Surrey?

In Surrey, neighbourhood policing teams:

  • Visit retailers during proactive patrols
  • Identify repeat locations and suspects
  • Provide additional advice and reassurance to communities
  • Work with businesses to review security measures

Here are some recent convictions secured by the Force.

OCG look-out locked up

A 37-year-old man, of Enfield in London, was jailed for 32 months and two weeks after admitting stealing around £100,000-worth of alcohol from supermarkets across Surrey. The defendant, who was a member of an organised crime group (OCG), pleaded guilty to 19 counts of conspiracy to commit theft.
The OCG travelled up and down the country committing offences. They would enter stores repeatedly, stealing between £500- and £7,000-worth of alcohol at a time.
The defendant acted as a look-out during the thefts. Police in Surrey worked with the heads of security for Tesco and Sainsbury’s, who identified that the defendant had been involved in another 34 offences across the UK. These were taken into consideration when he was sentenced.
While the defendant actively took part in thefts totalling around £100,000, it is believed that the OCG was responsible for thefts totalling almost £500,000.
During a single raid on a Tesco in Ashford, alcohol worth £8,500 was stolen. Stanwell and Reigate branches suffered a £5,000 loss to the group.
The Surrey officer who investigated the thefts said the successful outcome was thanks to the partnership forged between the police team in Staines and managers at Tesco and Sainsbury’s, alongside Op Opal, the national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime.

Brothers jailed

Two brothers who spent five months on a shoplifting spree across Surrey were also recently jailed for more than two years. The beothers worked together to visit various shops and target high-value alcohol, often stuffing their jackets or backpacks with bottles.
During a single incident at Waitrose in West Byfleet, they stole an estimated £1,050-worth of alcohol.
In total, they were charged with 55 offences, including 29 separate incidents of theft and four charges of assault on shop staff or security.
One, 35 and of Addlestone, was sentenced to two years in prison, while his older brother, 37 and of Addlestone, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Shoplifter banned

A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses in Runnymede was handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
The 32-year-old, who lives in Addlestone, targeted shops for a year.
The order has a number of conditions, including that he must not enter Waitrose in Addlestone, Aldi or Sainsbury’s in Chertsey, or any shop or retail premises he has been barred from. He must also produce a receipt when asked.
The order is in place until September 2027, and if he does anything to contravene it, he is liable upon conviction to imprisonment or a fine.





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