Serial Greggs shoplifter Tiffany O’Neill given suspended sentence

Greggs has trialled a number of initiatives in its stores to tackle shoplifting.

In April, it removed display cabinets in several London stores that had been badly hit by shoplifters, including branches in Croydon, Peckham, Whitechapel and Upton Park.

Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, said the bakery chain was also investing in technology to combat crime, including CCTV and a platform shared with law enforcement.

“We support efforts to apprehend repeat offenders, and we welcome calls for meaningful consequences for those who repeatedly target retailers,” she said.

“Importantly, we would like to see a renewed focus on positive interventions and services that prevent reoffending.”

Official figures show shoplifting offences in England and Wales topped half a million last year – a year-on-year increase of about 20%.

On Wednesday, the Home Office announced plans to target 500 of the most prolific shoplifters in the UK.

Sixteen police forces are taking part in the year-long scheme, which will see them focus on serial offenders.

A government spokesperson said it was rolling out more tagging of offenders protect the public.

“We are tagging more offenders before they leave the prison gate and continue to work closely with the police to manage offenders on court bail, with the protection of victims, witnesses and the public always a key consideration in bail decisions,” they said.

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