A prolific shoplifter who repeatedly targeted local stores in Canvey and Leigh-on-Sea has been banned from all Co-op and Nisa stores on Canvey Island for five years. This follows a series of thefts which have not only caused financial loss to retailers but also contributed to the growing problem of retail crime, which has a damning impact on communities.
Steven Whiteman, 37, admitted to nine counts of shop theft, one attempted theft, and two breaches of a criminal behaviour order. Despite the relatively small amounts taken in individual incidents, the cumulative value of stolen items – which included food, drink, and laundry detergent – amounted to several hundred pounds. Such losses are hard for local businesses to sustain, particularly as they face increasing pressures from theft.
Sergeant Christian Denning from the Business Crime Team stated, “Although the values of meat, drink and laundry detergent stolen on each individual occasion were relatively small, together they amounted to several hundred pounds, which is a loss that is hard for shops to sustain.”
The court heard on 3 September that Whiteman's thefts spanned several months, with goods ranging from a £4.97 bottle of washing liquid to £100 worth of meat, both stolen from Nisa in Third Avenue. Between 10 April and 3 August 2024, he stole from Nisa and Co-op stores in Canvey and Leigh-on-Sea, ignoring the criminal behaviour order previously issued to him in February.
His spree involved multiple breaches of his five-year ban, which originally prohibited him from entering several stores in Canvey, including the Co-op on Canvey Road, Morrisons Daily on Dovervelt Road, and Poundland in Furtherwick Road. The order was initially handed down after he was convicted of stealing £50 worth of meat from the Co-op earlier this year.
Whiteman, who has no fixed address, was caught in the act on 2 September 2024, when staff at The Food Warehouse detained him after an attempted theft of meat. He was arrested shortly afterward by an officer from the Canvey Town Centre Team.
In addition to the extension of his ban until September 2029, Whiteman received a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £415.47 in compensation and complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
Sergeant Denning emphasised the importance of continued vigilance from retailers, urging them to report incidents of theft, assaults, and anti-social behaviour. He added, “We continue to encourage retailers to report thefts, assaults and associated anti-social behaviour to us. Where we have the evidence, we will seek to secure charges. All information provided helps us to identify new retail crime trends and patterns in offending behaviour, and we use it to provide specialist crime prevention advice.”
The Impact of Retail Crime on Communities
Retail crime is not a victimless act. Beyond the financial losses sustained by businesses, it affects staff, customers, and the wider community. Staff members are often put in stressful and unsafe situations, and the financial strain of constant theft can lead to increased prices for customers. Moreover, repeated incidents of retail crime contribute to an atmosphere of insecurity and disorder within local communities, undermining the sense of safety and well-being.
In towns like Canvey and Leigh-on-Sea, where local businesses play a vital role in the economy and community life, this kind of crime can be particularly damaging. The strain placed on small and medium-sized retailers can threaten their viability, particularly when losses from thefts mount up over time.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of police and the community to work together in tackling retail crime. With initiatives like Criminal Behaviour Orders and targeted police operations, authorities aim to reduce crime and provide businesses with the security they need to thrive, benefiting both local economies and the well-being of residents.
As retail crime continues to be a significant issue across the UK, it is essential for the public to support law enforcement in reporting suspicious behaviour and for businesses to invest in measures to protect their stores from theft. Only through collective action can we reduce the negative impacts of retail crime on our communities.
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