Man sentenced for CBO breaches and shoplifting - Harpenden

A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after repeatedly breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and committing multiple shop thefts in Harpenden.

Chris Cairncross was arrested on Friday 5 June and later charged with a series of offences, including thefts from BP and Waitrose, and multiple breaches of his CBO by entering banned locations including BP, Co-op, and Waitrose.

Despite appearing in court on 6 June and receiving a fine and extended suspended sentence, he was arrested again on 8 June for further breaches and theft, including entering Sainsbury’s and stealing meat from BP.

At court on 9 June, Cairncross was sentenced to: 

8 weeks for CBO breaches
2 weeks (concurrent) for theft
An additional 8 weeks after his suspended sentence was activated
Plus compensation costs to BP

Cairncross, of no fixed address, had previously been issued a five-year CBO in November 2025 due to persistent anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Sergeant Mark Essam said: “We have worked with partner agencies to try and support him, but continued breaches meant prison was the only option. Residents should not have to tolerate ongoing anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.”

We will continue working to keep Harpenden town centre a safe and welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.