Colchester: Prolific shoplifter jailed

A prolific shoplifter has been jailed for almost two years thanks to work by our Business Crime Team.

Thirty-eight year-old Daniel Archer, of no fixed address, had been charged with 15 thefts or attempted thefts from shops as well as breaching an existing Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

The charges related to incidents between August and October this year at the Co-op store in Hawthorne Avenue, Colchester.

He had already been made subject of a CBO in March 2023 banning him from going into the same store.

He was convicted of the charges against him and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 25 November to a year and 10 months in prison.

PC Michael Lee, from the Business Crime Team, said:

“We know the impact prolific shoplifters like Daniel Archer have on the businesses they target.

“It can lead to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds worth of losses, and in some cases may be the difference between a business continuing or not.

“We are committed to tackling those who think they can steal with impunity from the hardworking businesses or shops across Essex.

“This year alone we’ve made more than 1,500 shoplifting arrests and secured 2,500 charges.

“Our message is clear – Essex is open for business, but closed for crime.”

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