Maybe he will think twice about trying this again.

You never know who's standing next to you in the queue is the message from police after they tackled a would-be shoplifter at a Shell Service Station.

The incident unfolded on Monday when Robert Simpson got a shock after trying to steal some drink cans from the Shell Service Station on Trafalgar Street in Burnley.

You've been nicked - police tackle shoplifter to the ground at Shell Service Station in Burnley | Burnley and Padiham Police

placeholder image — You've been nicked - police tackle shoplifter to the ground at Shell Service Station in Burnley | Burnley and Padiham Police

Police were quick to spring into action with one tackling him before he made it to the door and another blocking his exit strategy.

A spokesperson for the police said: “You never know where we might pop up.

“Unluckily for him, our officers were also there carrying out a proactive policing operation in plain clothes and arrested him on the spot.”

Robert Simpson, 36, of no fixed abode, was charged with four counts of theft from a shop, four breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, and was also wanted on recall to prison.
He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after appearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court yesterday — Robert Simpson, 36, of no fixed abode, was charged with four counts of theft from a shop, four breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, and was also wanted on recall to prison. He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after appearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court yesterday | Burnley and Padiham Police

Simpson, 36, of no fixed abode, was then charged with four counts of theft from a shop, four breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, and was also wanted on recall to prison.

He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after appearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court yesterday.

The police spokesperson added: “A timely reminder that when we're out and about in plain clothes, you never know who's standing next to you in the queue.”

Gar Cheung, Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing in Burnley, said: “This kind of criminality will not be tolerated, and we hope today’s result offers some justice to the local residents and businesses who have been targeted.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we continue to work with our local businesses to prevent these types of offences occurring as part of Operation Vulture.”

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