Second dedicated retail crime team launched to target prolific offenders in Sandwell

West Midlands Police has launched a second dedicated retail crime team in Sandwell in a bid to target more 'prolific offenders'.

The police force has shared that since the beginning of February more than 75 positive outcomes have been made by its Sandwell North Retail Crime Team. 

Within this remit, the police said that the majority of positive outcomes relate to charges or summons but do include community resolutions and cautions as well.

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“Our team has a real focus on protecting workers, supporting businesses and bringing offenders before the courts." said PC Jonathan Dean, Sandwell North Retail Crime Team. 

He continued: “We want workers and customers to feel safe in our retail areas and we are working with business owners to identify those that cause the most harm in our communities. Staff should feel safe when they are at work and customers should feel safe when they are shopping. Raising awareness and supporting businesses around the violence and abuse that is all too often directed towards those who work in retail is vital, which is why we are taking positive action to address this.”

Following work by the retail crime team:

• Joshua Findlater, aged 39 of Nutfield Walk, Birmingham has been charged with 19 thefts at a supermarket on Hamstead Road, Great Barr.

• Daniel Hwyl, aged 44 of Blakeland Road, Birmingham has been charged with 15 shop thefts after a string of incidents at the same supermarket in Great Barr. He is due to appear in court on 26 March.

• Claire Creswell, aged 45 of Waverley Road, Darlaston has been charged with six shop theft offences at stores in Wednesbury. She is next due in court on 13 April.

• Kayli Hill, aged 39 of Memorial Close, Willenhall has been charged with seven shop theft offences in Wednesbury and Willenhall.