Action has been taken against a host of people in relation to retail crime in North Herts.

Shoplifting is a North Herts Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) priority with officers working alongside businesses across the region to enhance crime prevention and identify those responsible.

Inspector James Lant, said: “As part of our NPT priorities, shoplifting is something we have a focus on addressing across North Herts.

“During the recent Safer Business Action Week, officers attended businesses listened to their concerns and were on high visibility patrols.

“It is vital our shops continue to report any issues to us, provide statements and CCTV evidence to support prosecutions.

“We have seen a range of people charged, sentenced or been handed community resolutions or cautions in the past few months in relation to thefts from shops.

“We want to send out the message that shoplifting is not acceptable and we have a zero-tolerance policy to it regardless of the value of items taken.”

Sentenced

  • Anthony Salusbury, 53, of no fixed abode, appeared at Luton Magistrates Court on October 19 where he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from Holland & Barrett, Letchworth on October 5. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation.
  • 24-year-old Marley Heath, of Ordelmere, Letchworth, appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on October 12, after being charged with theft from the Nisa Store, Hitchin on August 12. He was fined £60 and ordered to pay a £24 victim surcharge
  • Daniel Bain, 24, of Hazelwood Close, Hitchin, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on September 25, where he pleaded guilty to charges of theft from Poundland and M&S in Hitchin. He was fined a total of £160 and ordered to pay a combined compensation of £79.98.
  • A 15-year-old appeared at Stevenage Youth Court on October 10, having been charged with a theft from BP, Stevenage Road, Hitchin. He received a four-month referral order.
  • Danzelle St-Louis Hamilton, 34, of West View, Letchworth, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on August 27, where he pleaded guilty to six theft offences. He was handed a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay compensation totalling £126.70 and costs of £85.
  • Wayne Hyde, aged 47, of Scarborough Avenue, Stevenage appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on August 26, charged with theft of hair straighteners from Boots in Hitchin. He received an £80 fine and was ordered to pay compensation costs of £160.

Charged

  • A 39-year-old man has been sent a postal requisition with a charge of five thefts from the BP, Stevenage Road, Hitchin. Court date pending.
  • Ebony Lawman, 35, of Ashmead Road, Bedford, has been charged with theft from Bickerdikes Garden Centre, Letchworth on September 23. A court date is pending.
  • 33-year-old Samuel Jackson, of Ashmead Road, Bedford, has been charged with theft from Bickerdikes Garden Centre, Letchworth on September 23. A court date is pending.
  • Donovan Simms, 52, of Moss Way, Hitchin has been charged with theft from BP, Stevenage Road, Hitchin on August 27. A court date is pending.
  • Josephine Matthews, 55, of Wratten Close, Hitchin has been charged with theft from BP, Stevenage Road, Hitchin on August 8, theft from Shell, Bedford Road, Hitchin on August 28, theft from Superdrug, Bancroft, Hitchin on September 27 and theft from B&M, Nightingale Road, Hitchin on September 26. A court date is pending.

Community Resolution/Caution

  • A woman received an out of court community resolution following reports of a theft from Oliver Bonas, Bancroft, Hitchin on August 1. The woman gave an apology and paid back the store the value of the goods taken.
  • Following reports of a theft from BP Garage Hitchin on August 17, another woman received an out of court community resolution. She gave an apology and paid back the store the value of the goods taken.
  • A woman received a caution after a reported theft from Sainsbury’s on Whinbush Road on September 29. The items were recovered, and a letter of apology received.