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Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw and the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC).
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.”
Here are the faces of 37 prolific shoplifters that were punished for their crimes this year:
5. Kelly Dawson
Officers arrested Kelly Dawson for shoplifting during a covert operation on April 17. The 40-year-old was later charged with 13 counts of shoplifting from multiple retail outlets across the Blackpool South area. Dawson, of Burlington Road, Blackpool, was subsequently sentenced to six months in prison the following day. She was also given a two-year criminal behaviour order. | Lancashire Police
6. Victoria Heaton
Victoria Heaton, 47, of Lancaster Road North, Preston was charged with ten shoplifting offences from stores in and around Preston city centre. On April 19, she appeared at Preston Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to the offences. She was jailed for 44 weeks and given a criminal behaviour order for two years. | Lancashire Police
7. Paul Allen
Paul Allen, of Meadowbank, South Ribble, targeted the Booths store on Millbrook Way between January and March this year. The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of shoplifting after appearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court on May 9. He was subsequently jailed for 24 weeks. | Lancashire Police
8. Donna Heaton
Donna Heaton, 46, of Gillett Street, Preston, was given a four-year criminal behaviour order on April 1. The order banned her from entering the Next stores at both Fishergate and Deepdale and One Beyond on Friargate. She was also told she must engage with drug and alcohol services after she was convicted of the shoplifting offences. | Lancashire Police Photo: Lancashire Police