A PROLIFIC shoplifter has been jailed after repeatedly targeting shops in Poole and Christchurch.
The man was reported to have stealing more than £6,500-worth of goods from Boots, in Saxon Square, Christchurch, between June 6 and November 20, during 10 incidents.
It was also reported that on two occasions – on October 2 and 3 – the same man entered the Boots store in Redlands, Poole, and stole more than £1,200-worth of items, before entering the Bookends store in Christchurch on October 23, where he also stole £350-worth of products.
Dorset Police said officers used the new digital theft pack system, NiCE Investigate – where retailers submitted their CCTV footage, witness statements and theft reports – to launch an investigation, with 31-year-old Jason Christopher Evans identified.
Investigators within the dedicated Dorset Police Retail Crime Team and the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), it was also found Evans was wanted on recall to prison.
He was arrested on December 2 and charged with 14 shoplifting offences.
On December 3, he appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court, where he was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison.
Sergeant Ryan Corbett, of Dorset Police, said: “This case demonstrates how technology and partnership are transforming retail crime investigation.
“The NiCE evidence platform and digital theft packs drastically cut processing times, getting vital information from retailers to officers in hours rather than days.
“This method of reporting retail crime digitally provides both ease and timely justice for our victims, and so we would urge all retailers to sign up to this new initiative as soon as possible.
“Thanks to due diligence from the retailers who provided us with the necessary evidence, we were able to identify Evans as being responsible for these offences and bring him before the courts to be held accountable for his actions.
“We are committed to targeting offenders such as Evans and we fully recognise the impact shoplifting offences have on businesses in our communities.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, added: “I am pleased to hear the news that this prolific offender has been jailed. This sentence is a clear warning to anyone who targets our shops and communities.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime – it hits hardworking shop staff, threatens livelihoods, and undermines safety and confidence not just in our town centres, but at every essential corner shop, department store and retail outlet. I welcome the court’s decision, which recognises the sustained harm this offender caused across Christchurch and Poole.
“Since I came into office, I have been committed to improving crime reporting for Dorset businesses; that is why I established the Dorset Safer Business Partnership (DSBP). This case highlights how improvements made with the support of the DSBP, such as the implementation of the force’s new evidence platform, NiCE, are having a real impact on how retail crime is tackled in Dorset.
“Our communities deserve to feel safe, and I will continue to support Dorset Police and partners in taking decisive action against those who persistently break the law.”
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