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Good morning, Since the start of 2026, there have been 63 reported incidents of shoplifting across Crewe. These reports have been anything from stealing chocolate bars, to a toilet brush to thousands of pounds worth a flea treatment. One incident involved a Police Officer coming across a well-known Shoplifter just as they were booking off duty, they apprehended them after they saw that they had taken alcohol and pyjamas.
We have over 20 Criminal Behaviour Orders in place for our well known Shoplifters, these help to tackle serious and persistent antisocial behaviour by individuals convicted of a crime. This can impose restrictions on the individual. These orders can also mean that the individual has to meet positive requirements, e.g. attending drug support group. Breaching a CBO can lead to fines or a even prison sentence.
For the other Shoplifters, let’s just “smile”, because most likely you’ve been caught on camera. Crewe is covered in cameras, as are our local stores. Local stores send their CCTV into our video system and these are uploaded onto our ‘caught on camera’ for the local Officers to identify. Failing that, we always have facial recognition.
It’s important to us that our local community feels safe when out doing their shopping, on the contrary it’s important that anyone thinking of starting their career of ‘shoplifting’ understands that our local Officers will work tirelessly to identify you and then put conditions in place so that you won’t be even able shop in local stores. Which is more than inconvenient if you need simply a bottle of milk!
Local businesses no matter how big or small are victims to those who think that they can take what isn’t theirs. On top of that, in many incidents staff at the stores get verbally abused by those committing the crime. This is completely unacceptable. Store workers are local peoples family and friends, who are simply there to earn an honest wage.
We regularly have local Officers on foot and mobile patrol around our local stores, these Officers are familiar with the faces of those with CBO’s and know the signs to look out for new faces.
This week is our Retail Week Of Action, that’s why we’re highlighting what happens around shoplifting and the prevention work that goes on across Crewe.
If you witness shoplifting, and it is safe to do so, report it to us - Here is the link for you! - Report a crime | Cheshire Constabulary
Stay safe. PCSO Lizzie Jolley 22582 Crewe Police
#pcsojolley22582 #crewepolice | 
