JellyCat Thief Apprehended

We’re pleased to share a significant development in tackling repeat offending in the Commercial District of Manchester City Centre.

Over recent months, a known prolific offender has been responsible for a series of shoplifting incidents targeting local businesses—most notably at Waterstones, Deansgate, where repeated thefts of JellyCat teddy bears caused considerable financial loss and distress to staff members.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Neighbourhood Officers for the Commercial Area, a thorough investigation was launched. This involved compiling multiple crime reports, reviewing evidence, and working closely with affected businesses to identify the individual responsible.

Despite several previous attempts to locate and arrest the suspect, he remained at large—until Sunday. The male has now been successfully arrested and charged for multiple shoplifting offences and breaches of his existing Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). 

At Court, he was ordered to pay the amount of the stolen items back in full, as well as being issued with a 24 week custodial sentence (suspended for 12 months).

This arrest marks a positive step forward in protecting our local businesses and maintaining safety in the city centre. We remain committed to supporting our community and ensuring that persistent offending is robustly addressed.

If you witness suspicious activity or have concerns about crime in your area, please report it via 101 or online at www.gmp.police.uk. In an emergency, always dial 999