Prolific shoplifter banned from Blackburn town centre, One Stop Stores

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from Blackburn town centre and One Stop Stores in Lancashire.

Benjamin Wareing, 29, of Lockside was handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) over shoplifting offences.

As informed by Lancashire Constabulary, Wareing was issued the CBO at Preston Magistrates Court on Saturday (1) with a number of conditions.

He is not to enter or attempt to enter Blackburn town centre unless to attend a pre-booked appointment. He is also not allowed to enter any One Stop convenience store in Blackburn.

Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

The operation sees dedicated officers undertaking hotspot patrolling, increasing their visibility in targeted areas and creating strong partnerships with retailers across the county to better share intelligence, get a deeper understanding of retail crime and identify more offenders.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said, "As Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, I will continue to work alongside the Chief Constable to establish a more proactive approach to shoplifting, with better protection for shop workers and improved relationships between retailers and the police.

"The public need to know that in the event of a crime such as shoplifting, the police will come, and the crime will be punished accordingly.”