Southsea man charged with 17 shoplifting offences totalling almost £2,000

Hampshire Constabulary has beeen investigating shoplifting incidents across Portsmouth, as part of its Operation Monster initiative.

Now, a 48-year-old man has been charged with 17 offences, which took place over a three-month period.

Simon Collins of Ivy Close, Southsea, is accused of shoplifting between August 22 and November 4.

The total value of items stolen in these incidents is almost £2,000.

One incident, at the Sainsbury’s Local store in Albert Road, Southsea, saw £395 of chocolate taken from the shop.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘Collins has been remanded in custody and appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Friday, November 27.

The investigation was part of Operation Monster, which sees local officers in Portsmouth work with local businesses to tackle aggravated shoplifting and other offences against them.’

Anyone with information about crimes that have taken place can call Hampshire Police on 101.

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