Shoplifter Threatened Staff with Needle, Now Jailed as Operation Predict Looms
A prolific Southampton shoplifter who stole around £1,000 worth of goods from stores across the city has been jailed for 16 weeks.
Kieron Slack-Travers, 29, of no fixed abode, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 5 November, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to 14 shoplifting offences and one count of common assault.
Between August and October this year, Slack-Travers targeted several retail stores across Southampton, stealing alcohol, food, meat, cosmetics and other items.
Series of offences
His offences included:
• 24 August – Theft of approximately £140 worth of food from Asda on Millbrook Road West
• 19 September – Theft of approximately £170 worth of cosmetic goods from Boots on Portswood Road
• 27 September – Theft of approximately £90 worth of alcohol from the Co-op in Ocean Village
• 29 September – Theft of approximately £110 worth of chocolate and alcohol from the Co-op in Ocean Village
• 6 October – Theft of approximately £60 worth of alcohol from the Co-op in Ocean Village
• 11 October – Theft of approximately £80 worth of Red Bull cans from Tesco Express in Ocean Village
• 12 October – Theft of approximately £65 worth of meat and poultry from Tesco in Ocean Village
• 27 October – Attempted theft of approximately £99 worth of alcohol from the Co-op on the High Street. On this occasion, Slack-Travers was detained by staff and threatened to stab them with a needle.
Police response
Sergeant Mike Kesslar-Lyne from the City Centre Unit said officers are continuing to take a tough stance against shoplifters and those who threaten retail workers.
He said:
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. In Southampton, we are committed to targeting repeat offenders and those who use threats or violence against retail staff.
“We are proud that our response has been recognised as one of the best in the country by retailers and we will continue to deal with individuals who choose to offend robustly. Too often employees have to deal with abuse and violence that can accompany this type of crime. The City Centre Unit are dedicated to reducing retail crime and ensuring justice for all those affected.
“We know that our shoplifters move around the wider Southampton district, hitting businesses in areas such as Shirley, Portswood, Bitterne to name a few, so we are working with our colleagues from the other neighbourhood teams to collaboratively put a stop to these prolific offenders.
“We encourage the public to keep reporting incidents of shoplifting. Your information helps us identify prolific offenders and focus our efforts where they’re needed most.
“As Christmas approaches you will see an increase in uniformed presence in the city centre. This is to reassure the residents and visitors enjoying the Christmas market but also to actively deal with crime. We will not tolerate shoplifting or anti-social behaviour. Operation Predict starts Thursday 13th November. If you come to the city centre to commit crime, we can predict where you will end up…”
Operation Predict
Police say Operation Predict will see increased patrols across Southampton city centre throughout the festive season, targeting both shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
The operation aims to reassure shoppers and business owners while providing visible deterrence against theft and disorder during the busy Christmas period.