Southend: Jail for cycling shoplifter outrun by special constable

A bicycle-riding shoplifter chased down and arrested by a fleet-footed special constable in Southend has been jailed.

Prolific shoplifter James Coleman, 36, was spotted by Southend City Council CCTV operators and identified as being wanted for shop theft and breaching a two-year criminal behaviour order.

He was identified by a Southend Local Policing Team officer, who was patrolling with the special constable, but escaped on a bicycle.

Our special constable took up the pursuit, catching up with Coleman nearby and pulling him from his bike. Coleman kicked our volunteer officer and threatened him but was soon arrested and taken to custody.

He was jailed by the city’s magistrates the following day, 3 December 2024, for a total of 18 weeks, after admitting common assault of a police officer, threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress, three shop thefts and breaching the criminal behaviour order.

Southend District Commander Chief Inspector David Browning says:

“We don’t tolerate assaults on our officers and neither do we tolerate shoplifting. 
“Thanks to the brave and spirited intervention of our special constable, justice has caught up with James Coleman again.
“He’s a prolific offender who has caused significant issues to local businesses and the shops of Southend are safer without him on our streets.
“Thankfully, our Special was not seriously injured in the assault. He is one of our volunteer police officers who give up their spare time to help keep the people of Essex safe.”

At court, Coleman admitted all the charges against him.

Magistrates heard he stole items from the Tesco Express store in Southchurch Road, Southend, on three separate occasions in November 2024 and breached a two-year criminal behaviour order imposed by magistrates on 13 March 2023, which banned him from entering the store.

Special Constables, are volunteer police officers. They have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular police officers. But Special Constables volunteer their time to help people and communities across Essex.

Want to know more? Take a look at our Special Constabulary page.