Neighbourhood police have hailed a scheme tackling business crime in West Bridgford after securing a prison sentence for a prolific shoplifter.
Andrew Wimbledon has been jailed for 26 weeks after repeatedly flouting a court order that bans him from attending stores.
The 43-year-old walked into M & S Foodhall, in Albert Road, on 21st September, 30th September, and 5th October 2024, and stole bottles of spirits on each occasion.
Every time he entered the store, Wimbledon breached a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) imposed in June 2023.
Officers from the Rushcliffe neighbourhood policing team had worked with businesses, Rushcliffe Borough Council, and other partners to secure the order.
He is one of seven persistent offenders in West Bridgford who are currently subject to a CBO.
Police Constable Matthew Holden, of the neighbourhood team, said:
“We hope businesses in West Bridgford are offered some respite by this prison sentence for a prolific offender.
“The sentence has only been made possible through the neighbourhood team’s work with local partners to secure the CBO against him in the first place.
“The orders have real teeth and are a great asset for us in tackling the national problem of persistent shoplifting.
“A relatively small number of offenders commit the vast majority of these offences, and banning them from particular stores means they will be locked up if they ignore the court order.
“Officers from the neighbourhood team work with the council and local businesses to tackle shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, and related crime in West Bridgford town centre under the Shop Watch Scheme.
“The scheme allows police and retailers to share information on prolific offenders, make use of a dedicated Shop Watch radio scheme, and efficiently utilise the council-commissioned CCTV.
“Early communication via the radio system ensures officers are patrolling key locations in the town at the right times to provide a visible presence and react quickly to offences taking place.
“However, it is not just about catching offenders and arresting them. We are using both our time and resources smartly to engage with shop staff and provide them with the reassurance, advice, and skills they need to assist us in reducing shoplifting.”
Wimbledon, of Gordon Road, West Bridgford, was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 10th October after pleading guilty to three counts of theft from a shop and three counts of breaching a CBO.
Safer Business Action Week is running throughout this week with a focus on retail crime and how antisocial behaviour impacts shops and other local businesses.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Cllr Rob Inglis, said:
“The Shop Watch Scheme continues to make an impact in cases like this, connecting businesses, the police, and us here at the council to tackle this type of crime effectively in the town centre.
“Business owners feel more secure, which can again only breed further confidence that West Bridgford is a safer place to be as a result of this partnership working.”
• M&S Food Hall West Bridgford closes for FIVE weeks for refurbishment
