Operation Reclaim: Persistent shoplifter jailed after breaching court order

A prolific shop thief has been locked up after continuing to ignore a court order intended to prevent him from causing further harm. 

Connor Barrowcliffe was banned from entering retail premises in Nottingham city centre, including Victoria Centre – under the terms of a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) he was issued with in September 2024. 

The 29-year-old was jailed in February this year after committing further thefts and admitting three breaches of the CBO.

He was released on licence in May but failed to stay out of trouble and so was arrested again.

At Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, he was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to a string of new offences investigated by PC Phil Yates, who specialises in tackling retail crime. 

The court heard Barrowcliffe, of no fixed address, breached his CBO on 15 May by entering Boots, in Victoria Centre, and stealing three shaving gift sets worth £91.

Two days later, he was caught on CCTV stealing £35 worth of food, drink and alcoholic beverages from a petrol station in Huntingdon Street.

Over the following fortnight he twice targeted FOPP in Bridlesmith Gate – stealing approximately £270 worth of DVDs (pictured below).

And on 2 June he breached his CBO again by entering Victora Centre and stealing a packet of pretzel bites from Mr Pretzels.

Barrowcliffe was arrested on Sunday (7 June) and put before the courts the following day.

He pleaded guilty to five shop thefts and two breaches of a CBO. In addition to the 12-month custodial sentence, he was told to pay £403.95 compensation.

PC Phil Yates, of the City Centre neighbourhood policing team, said:

"Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and the damaging impact it has on retailers, their staff, and their customers cannot be underestimated. 

"Store staff can be left feeling vulnerable and powerless and customers are also often affected. 

"In the case of Barrowcliffe, he is a prolific shoplifter and the CBO was put in place to allow for robust action to hold him responsible for his crimes.

"As demonstrated, we are committed to enforcing the order, and Barrowcliffe needs to learn that if he breaks the law, he will be held accountable.

"I hope this will provide reassurance to local businesses, demonstrating that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle shoplifting across the city centre.”

The sentencing follows the launch of Op Reclaim, a partnership approach to relentlessly targeting criminals who use the city centre to commit crime.

Nottinghamshire Police are using the Home Office tactic called Clear, Hold, Build, where we make the environment as hostile as possible for criminals to operate and ensure the vacuum cannot be filled once they are arrested and charged.

More stories about Operation Reclaim can be found here: Operation Reclaim | Nottinghamshire Police.