Man sentenced following cross-county shoplifting spree

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a spate of bulk shoplifting offences between June 2024 and January 2025.

John Ward, 22 (DOB: 04.04.2003), of Ashford was arrested on Monday, 20 January following the shoplifting spree and charged with 19 counts of Conspiracy To Steal From Shop. Following further enquiries, Ward admitted to 24 additional incidents which were put forward to be taken into consideration during sentencing.

Targeting Boots, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Co-op stores across Surrey, Thames Valley, Kent, London, Cleveland, Cheshire and Durham, Ward brazenly stole in excess of £60,000 worth of nicotine, healthcare and cosmetic products.

In January of this year, Boots Intelligence Hub reported 19 incidents to Surrey Police which they believed to be connected. Within two weeks we had identified Ward as the suspect and arrested him. 

Once John Ward had been charged, we liaised with other national retailers to identify additional offences and the Sainsbury’s Intelligence Hub reported 18 offences linked to their stores. We also linked Ward to a further six incidents at Co-op, Tesco, and Boots, to which he admitted when questioned. 

Investigating Officer, PC Annalise Ware said: "We know shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses and can leave shop staff feeling fearful and vulnerable. It is a priority for us to robustly pursue any offenders and get them before the courts. We know that incidents often go unreported - especially for lower value goods - but we encourage any businesses to report because it helps us to build an information and intelligence picture which, in cases like this, have allowed us to charge and sentence Ward for multiple offences. I hope this outcome reassures our communities that we are committed to tackling this crime and how we are working in partnership with retailers in order to do so."