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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:
17. John Molyneux
John Molyneux was arrested in connection with the incidents on Friday. He was later charged with five counts of theft from a shop and remanded into custody. Molyneux appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court on Saturday where he pleaded guilty. He was subsequently sentenced to eight weeks in prison. | Lancashire Police
18. Nicole Hartley
Nicole Hartley, of Garden Street, Nelson, was given a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) as a result of prolific shoplifting. The 25-year-old was given the CBO at Blackburn Magistrates' Court earlier this month. She was subsequently banned from entering B&M, Asda, Poundland and Pets at Home on Swindon Retail Park in Colne. | Lancashire Police
19. Christopher Leigh
Christopher Leigh was jailed following multiple incidents at stores across Preston. He was later charged with six counts of theft from a shop and a further charge of theft from a motor vehicle. Leigh, 50, of no fixed address, appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court where he was sentenced to four months in prison. The magistrates also imposed a further eight-month jail term for breaching a previous suspended sentence, bringing the total sentence to 12 months. | Lancashire Police
20. Gage Blundell
Gage Blundell, 30, of Beresford Street, Blackpool, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison after multiple thefts from stores in Blackpool. | Lancashire Police