Thanks to the combined efforts of retailers and police, a North East man has received a ten year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) banning him from entering shops across England and Wales,

The order was secured by the North East Retail Crime Partnership (NERCP) in what is believed to be the first of its kind for a retail crime unit.

David Fletcher, 46, of Berberis Way, Newburn, Newcastle, has been banned from entering the premises of any Tesco, B&Q;, Safeway, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Somerfield, Matalan and North Eastern Co-op in England and Wales. The ASBO, which was secured at Newcastle Magistrates court on January 27, also prohibits Fletcher contacting, interfering with or threatening any employee of these stores.

Magistrates heard how Fletcher would go into shops and act in an intimidating and aggressive manner. While staff were distracted by his behaviour a team of people would be stealing goods from the shop - spirits being a particular target.

PC Ian Smith of Northumbria Police who has been seconded to the NERCP for the last 16 months said: "We believe this is the first of its kind for a retail crime unit. This ASBO has no geographic area and covers the whole of England and Wales preventing him from entering any of the shops listed.

"The stores affected came to us individually and it is nice to see justice done for them. We have now got a test case to deal with any similar offenders in the future."

Chief Executive of NERCP Anne Tate, said: "After two years of work collating information and witness statements from member stores, this is a tremendous result, not only for the North East Retail Crime Partnership and our member stores but Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland Police, who have all worked in close partnership with us.

"Many store staff have been intimidated by this man and his team. No-one should have to experience threats of this nature in the course of their work."

Anne added: "The NERCP aims to send out a strong message that we will not tolerate shop theft in this region and this Anti-Social Behavioiur Order does just that. We are working with other partners to ensure crime is not displaced to other, adjacent, areas and will be working with them to track thieves who travel from region to region and ensure that the appropriate action is taken."

Northumbria Coalition Against Crime, Northumbria Police HQ, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 0BL
Telephone 01661 868 424, Fax 01661 868488, E-mail [email protected]