Behaviour orders on shoplifters as police lead new crackdown

The Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Partnership, made up of council and police, applied for Asbos to be imposed on two young men from the Birstall area.

Jamie Chambers, 20, of Cambridge Road, Birstall was given an Asbo which runs until March 2014.

It bans him from entering parts of Birstall and prevents him going into the Co-op store in Oxford Road, Gomersal.

Dewsbury magistrates imposed the order after hearing about 16 incidents involving Chambers.

The incidents included stealing perfume from Boots in Birstall in October last year and stealing property from the Co-op in the same month.

In November Chambers was verbally abusive to staff at the Co-op petrol station in Low Lane, Birstall.

Also in November he stole property from Sainbury’s in Dewsbury and acted in a manner which alarmed staff.

On November 8 he was verbally abusive to Jean Lister, an employee at the Co-op in Low Lane, Birstall. He was shoplifting at the time.

In December he went into the Tesco stall in Birstall despite being banned by letter.

On December 20 he was arrested while acting in a threatening manner towards staff and customers at Boots in Birstall.

On Boxing Day Chambers stole goods worth £50 from the Co-op in Gomersal.

On December 29 he was in Tesco Express stealing goods worth just over £11. He was charged with theft.

And on January 13 this year Chambers entered the Co-op store in Oxford Road, Gomersal, where he stole property worth just over £60.

The decision to grant the Asbo against Chambers has been welcomed by police.

Pc Julie Diamond, of the Kirklees Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, said: “The Asbo granted for Jamie Chambers is unusual as it relates to criminal offences of theft.

“However, it was proved that his persistent behaviour resulted in staff and customers at the shops located in the Birstall/Batley area feeling harassed, alarmed and distressed.

“This is an excellent example of the community, Batley Neighbourhood Policing Team and Kirklees Anti-Social Behaviour Unit working together to address anti-social behaviour and shows that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Dewsbury magistrates imposed an Asbo on Joshua Anthony Allsopp, 20, of Fieldhead Crescent, Birstall, until March 2016.

The court heard about three incidents involving Allsopp.

In November he stole goods worth £40 from the Co-op in Low Lane, Birstall, and caused distress to customers and staff.

A few days later he was back in the same store stealing goods worth £3. He was said to be shouting, swearing and foaming at the mouth.

On November 19 he stole goods from Tesco Express in Smithies Lane, Birstall.

The court order bans him from parts of Birstall, including shops from which he is already barred from using.

Pc Diamond also welcomed the five-year Asbo imposed on Allsopp.

She said: “It was proved that Joshua Allsopp’s persistent intimidating behaviour resulted in staff and customers at the shops in the Birstall/Batley area feeling harassed, alarmed and distressed.

“The recommended length of an anti-social behaviour order is two years, however Joshua Allsopp’s behaviour was perceived to be serious enough to warrant a five-year order and this is yet further evidence that the community, Batley Neighbourhood Policing Team and Kirklees Anti-Social Behaviour Unit are working together to address issues of anti-social behaviour.”