A SHOPLIFTER who stole goods worth more than £40,000 from shops including stores in Longwell Green has been jailed.
Joshua Milkins targeted chemists, sports and leisure shops on retail parks in December and January.
He targeted Longwell Green, Emersons Green, Avonmeads in St Philip’s, Worle, Imperial Park in Hartcliffe and Worle, near Weston-super-Mare.
After a police investigation he was arrested and admitted 14 counts of shop theft in February.
Milkins, aged 36, of Meriet Avenue, Hartcliffe, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison at Bristol Crown Court in April.
He was also made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from entering any branch of Boots in Bristol or South Gloucestershire and from being in possession of a tool to remove security tags from stock.
After the case Sgt Al-Nashir Bandali said: “No business or shop worker should have to put up with theft and related anti-social behaviour issues and we’re working hard to identify those responsible and put them before the courts.
“We will continue to take action wherever possible and would urge any business or person who witnesses an incident of shoplifting to report it to us.
“This information is really important in enabling us to take action like this.”
Crimes in progress should be reported by calling 999 – after the event they can be reported by calling 101 or online at avonandsomerset.police.uk.