Police name first shoplifters to wear electronic tag under new scheme
Police have announced that electronic tags are being fitted to first-time burglars as part of a new scheme aimed at deterring repeat offences.
Sussex Police ordered Barry Farthing, 41, and Victoria Hale, 50, to wear the tags for 12 months and avoid certain areas in East Sussex where supermarkets are located.
The force said it was the first organization in the country to tag prolific thieves with location tracking tags.
It allows police to monitor the movements of criminals in real time, helping to prevent further crime and enabling swift action if breaches or tampering occur.
The Department of Justice announced in September that up to 22,000 more criminals and defendants would be tagged each year as part of the reforms; This marks the biggest expansion of electronic monitoring since the introduction of the curfew tag in 1999.
Chief Inspector Katy Woolford said: “Shoplifting has a tremendous impact on businesses and the wider community.
“We will use all the tools at our disposal to support businesses and ensure prolific criminals are brought to justice.
“We are leading the way with this innovative plan to tackle repeat offenders in Sussex and we will continue to work closely with our partners to protect our business community.”
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne said: “Operation STOP (Shoplifting Offender Project) is directly targeting prolific shoplifters for the first time, using electronic tags to prevent repeat crimes.
“I am delighted to see our Sussex pilot project already delivering real results – successful court outcomes that are effectively tackling repeat shoplifting and helping to protect local businesses.”
Hale, from Eastbourne, became the first person to be given the Buddi tag after being given a two-year criminal behavior order after pleading guilty to 12 charges of theft.
The tag excludes Hale from a 30m area around the Co-op in Albert Road, Eastbourne, for 12 months.
Farthing was jailed for eight months and given a Criminal Conduct Order, including a location tracking tag, following a six-week burglary earlier this year.
Farthing repeatedly targeted supermarkets in East Sussex between 18 August and 30 September, often stealing produce on successive days.
Officers were already investigating him for charges related to 76 previous burglaries committed between January and March this year.
Farthing was arrested, charged with 46 counts of shoplifting from a store, and taken into custody. He was ordered to wear the tag for 12 months.
