‘Shopping list’ thief gets away

AWOMAN who is believed to “shoplift to order” has escaped from the clutches of police in Swindon.

Officers say that they have recovered a shoplifter’s shopping list of goods to steal for customers.

The wish list was found in the handbag of the known shoplifter in Swindon town centre after security guards tried to stop her stealing from a Debenhams store.

The woman escaped and remains

These lists are obviously for people who have ordered goods to be stolen

PC PAUL BEZZANT

at large, but police believe she was stealing to order in time for Christmas.

One customer, called “Colleen”, wanted girls’ clothes aged five to six, a men’s medium grey coat and lamb chops/steaks.

Another pair of associates, known as “Tall P and Tasha”, were after Gucci perfumes, while “Jimmy” wanted medium and large tracksuits, men’s trainers in sizes seven, nine and 10 and aftershave.

Other items listed to be stolen included a Dyson hairdryer, an Oral B electric toothbrush, “luxury pillows” and Yankee candles.

PC Paul Bezzant, of Wiltshire Police, said: “These lists are obviously for people who have ordered goods to be stolen.

“They feature names or nicknames of recipients along with the places where they hang out or have agreed to meet the thief.

“Our message to anyone considering stealing for themselves or others is that the consequences of receiving or handling stolen goods are serious – potentially you could go to prison.

“We are aware of this problem in Swindon and are working with our partners to stamp this out.

“This includes us engaging with licensed premises – places where people often choose to meet to exchange money for stolen goods – through the Pubwatch scheme.”