Shoplifter jailed and banned from every Co-op in Fareham

A man has been jailed and banned from every Co-op in Fareham following a £765 shoplifting spree.

James Durber, 40, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday 21 February where he admitted the following charges:

• Theft of £130 of goods from Boots in Westbury Mall on 12 December 2024.
• Theft of £199.60 of meat from Co-op in Highlands Road on 18 December 2024.
• Theft of £241.60 worth of meat from Co-op in Highlands Road on 8 February this year.
• Theft of £127 of laundry washing products from Co-op in Highlands Road on 9 February.
• Theft of £67 worth of meat from Co-op in Fairfield Avenue on 16 February.

Durber, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 16 weeks. At the same hearing, Magistrates also imposed a two year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Under the conditions of the CBO, Durber is prohibited from entering any Co-operative convenience/food store in the borough of Fareham, and is also prohibited from entering or remaining on any retail/business premises unless he has the means on his person to purchase goods or services.

In addition, if asked to do so Durber must leave any business or retail premises immediately without using any aggressive or abusive language or behaviour.

If he breaches any of these prohibitions, Durber will be liable for further arrest or prosecution in which he could be sent to prison and/or ordered to pay a fine.

PC Tom Pickup, from Fareham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Retail staff work really hard, and shouldn’t ever have to go to work with the fear that they may be subjected to abuse, or have to deal with shoplifting or anti-social behaviour.

“Durber is a habitual offender who repeatedly steals large quantities of goods, which has continued to impact businesses in Fareham.

“Where shoplifting is reported to police, we will make every effort to identify and arrest those responsible, and use other tactics at our disposal – such as applying for CBOs – to limit re-offending and take further action against those whose offending persists.

“There can be a number of reasons why someone might repeatedly steal – it varies from individual to individual, but it can often be driven by addiction issues. Police work closely with local services who can provide support to those with addictions.

“We want the community to keep reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour and business crime in Fareham to police, so we can continue to work with partners to address these behaviours, and take appropriate action against any criminal offences.”