A man has been jailed for repeat shoplifting offences in a theft hotspot.

Michael Devlin, 43, of Hilldene Avenue in Harold Hill, was found guilty of multiple counts of theft by shoplifiting at Barkingside Magistrates' Court last Friday (January 26).

Devlin was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison which was reduced to 16 weeks by the magistrate.

Of repeat offenders on Farnham Road, Inspector Charlie Routley said: "Your actions will not be tolerated.

“We continue to work closely [...] to target the minority of people who come to Farnham Road solely for the purpose of committing criminal offences."

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Insp. Routley added that the police have been working with Havering Council to crack down on crime in the area.

Residents had reported the Hilldene shopping area as a one plagued by drug users, jeering shoplifters with the threat of knives in October 2023.

After speaking to shop staff and residents, police became aware that shoplifiting was a major community concern, and have subsequently sought to target "key offenders" such as Devlin.