Three people sentenced for repeat shoplifting in Southampton

Three people in Southampton have now been sentenced following a series of repeat shoplifting offences in the city, as police continue to crack down on this type of crime.

 

Our investigation began when multiple shoplifting reports were received from the Bedford Place Sainsbury’s store on April 9^th of this year. It was reported that large amounts of coffee and chocolate had been taken. The suspected offenders were traced to the Premier store on St Mary’s Street by Southampton City Council CCTV operators and two men were arrested by police at the location.

 

Since we were made aware of these incidents we have made multiple visits to both stores as part of our enquiries, as well as working closely with Trading Standards and licensing teams from Southampton City Council and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.

 

As a result of our ongoing investigation Mark Coffin, 38, of Ascupart Street, was charged and pleaded guilty to shoplifting. He was issued with a six month community order and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

 

Craig Samuel Griffiths, 34, of Westridge Road, was charged with four counts of theft from a shop and sentenced to four weeks in prison, he was also ordered to pay £148 in compensation.

 

A 37-year-old man from London has also been issued with a conditional caution in relation to handling stolen goods.

 

The Premier store on St Mary’s Street has currently had its alcohol license revoked while our enquiries into shoplifting in the area continue.

 

Police Constable Ryland Painter, who has been leading the police investigation, said: “It is clear to us from our engagement with residents that shoplifting has a massive impact on local businesses, staff and customers.

“It is not acceptable that repeat shoplifters continue to profit from these crimes while causing misery and harm to shop staff and customers who have to deal with their offending daily.

 

“Our message is clear – shoplifting and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated here in Southampton.

 

“We take reports like this extremely seriously and will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

 

Police Sergeant Carl Peverill, who leads Southampton's City Centre Unit, which is dedicated to tackling shoplifting and associated crime in the city centre, said: 

 

"I hope that these sentences send a strong message to those who continue to steal in Southampton - if you continue to shoplift in the city then you will be dealt with robustly and we will do everything we can to put those causing harm to our communities before the courts.

 

"The city centre unit is committed to targeting those who repeatedly commit crime within Southampton’s stores. We have a zero tolerance for this type of offending, which makes the lifes of shop staff who are simply trying to do their job a misery. We continue to work closely alongside key agencies and businesses in the city, including Go! Southampton and Southampton City Council, to ensure a strong partnership approach to tackling shoplifting.

 

"Since the city centre unit was formally launched in November 2023, we have had 539 formal outcomes taken against offenders, which includes 98 charges/summons to court and 90 out of court disposals. This work will not stop and we continue to focus our attentions on those committing these offences.

 

If you have any information about shoplifting or related crime in your area, please contact us on 101 or submit reports via our website. All information provided to us helps us build a bigger picture of the problems and helps us investigate and target those responsible.