Prolific Thief Banned from Shopping Centres Thanks to Operation Canvas
A serial shoplifter who plagued businesses with her persistent offending has been banned from shopping centres and a number of national retailers’ stores thanks to a dedicated policing operation.
Nikki McMahon had admitted seven shoplifting offences in the past two years as she was investigated by Northumbria Police officers working as part of Operation Canvas.
The scheme – which is operated by police and NE1 Business Improvement District (BID) – is a streamlined reporting and prosecution tool, designed to benefit retailers while also taking a hardline approach to persistent offenders.
Businesses can make one report which includes CCTV evidence directly to the Newcastle City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT). This can then be used to achieve a prosecution at court.
Due to engagement with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), officers do not need to arrest or even interview offenders and they can instead be summonsed directly to court to face charges.
McMahon had carried out offences at a number of stores, stealing luxury items such as cosmetics, handbags, sunglasses, and clothing. Through various appearances before court she was given a prison term, ordered to carry out unpaid work and told to pay compensation to the businesses she targeted.
After the Canvas team built up a comprehensive file of evidence on McMahon – who is aged 20 and of Church Walk House in Newcastle – they were able to apply for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against her which was then approved at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 7.
The order means that she is prohibited from entering the Metro Centre in Gateshead and Eldon Square in Newcastle city centre. McMahon is also prohibited from going into any Next, Waterstones, John Lewis, Fenwick, Victoria’s Secret, Sunglasses Hut, Boots or Marks and Spencer stores in England and Wales.
Chief Inspector Rob Bosson, of Northumbria Police’s Newcastle Area Command, said: “I’m sure that the restrictions now placed upon McMahon by the courts are welcomed by retailers in our region. She has been given ample opportunity to change her ways but has consciously chosen not to do so.
“This latest result shows that Operation Canvas is tough on thieves and an excellent mechanism in being able to build up vital evidence to convince a court that a CBO is necessary as a way of curbing their offending.
“A breach of these strict conditions can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years, so just stepping foot in the areas prohibited could see McMahon back behind bars before she even has the chance to steal again.
“If you do see McMahon in a place where she shouldn’t be, please contact us.”
Thirty-two retailers are now signed up to Canvas, with 63 convictions secured.
A total of 122 weeks’ worth of custodial sentences have been handed down, with 17 community orders put in place for offenders with courts deeming that 200 hours of unpaid work should be carried out.
Chief Insp Bosson added: “We are proud of the progress Operation Canvas is making as we strive to further tackle retail crime and keep our city as safe and welcoming as it can possibly be.
“I’d encourage any businesses in Newcastle interested in signing up to work with us as part of the operation to contact us and find out more.”
Tariq Albassam, Director of Operations at NE1, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this outcome. It sends a clear message that persistent offending will not be tolerated and that decisive action will be taken.
“We're grateful to all the retailers who have signed up to the scheme so far, and we hope these results demonstrate that our collective approach is making real progress in the fight against shoplifting. We strongly encourage other retailers to join us in these efforts and look forward to taking more strides in tackling retail crime this year."
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Operation Canvas is part of a whole raft of work we are rolling out in Northumbria as part of the Government’s Winter of Action initiative – and the issuing of this criminal behaviour order is just one example of how it’s delivering results.
“I know from speaking with retailers that Canvas has really improved links between them and the police. This enhanced reporting and intelligence-sharing is helping catch offenders, achieve easier prosecutions and deter offending – and all this leads to safer streets and stronger communities.”
Retailers need to be invited to signed up to work with the Operation Canvas team. Those interested in finding out more should email [email protected].
