Shoplifter brought to justice

We recently asked for help in identifying a suspect for a £9000 theft from a store in the City Centre where a number of high value handbags were stolen. 

Very soon after the appeal, we received anonymous information from the community that identified Carl O’Brien, 33, of Miles Platting as the suspect responsible. He had apparently been “bragging about his fame” in his local pub.

He was promptly found by the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team hiding in a TV cabinet and subsequently charged with said theft offences and sentenced to 33 weeks imprisonment at Manchester City Magistrates Court.

Inspector Lee Ferguson – the lead for Retail Crime in Manchester City Centre had the following observations; 

“Retail crime is rising with a shocking 60% increase in the two years up until June 2024. Behind these statistics lies a deeply troubling trend; offenders are increasingly turning to violence and abuse when committing these crimes, usually targeted towards those working in the shops. That is utterly deplorable. Shops are the beating heart of our City  and the staff that work tirelessly to keep them open and serve the local community always deserve respect. Everyone has the right to go to work in freedom from fear.

Over recent years, retail crime has too often been written off as ‘low level’, and perpetrators have been able to offend and re-offend with impunity. In Manchester, we will crack down on this corrosive criminality. 

My team will always take decisive action, working hand in hand with both private and public sector partners from across the City, to bring offenders to justice. The community play an important part in this plan. 

We will listen and this recent positive outcome demonstrates that we will act swiftly on any information passed.”

Monday sees the first day of the Safer Business Action week, where we will be working closely with partners and the community across the City (and further afield) to combat retail and business crime and to highlight the important role that businesses play in supporting our local communities. We will be engaging with businesses in and around the City to better understand their issues with the intention of working in collaboration to develop long term solutions to the problems identified.

#BCRPunitedagainstcrime #GMPCityCentre #SABAWOA