Persistent Bath Shoplifter Jailed as Authorities Highlight Toll of Retail Crime on Local Businesses

Persistent Bath Shoplifter Jailed as Authorities Highlight Toll of Retail Crime on Local Businesses

Bath, UK – A woman has been jailed for eight months after admitting to more than a dozen shop thefts in the city, sparking renewed concern over the growing impact of retail crime on local businesses and communities.

Image Avon and Somerset Police: Shoplifter Caroline Beaverstock

Caroline Beaverstock, 35, of Combe Park, was sentenced on Wednesday, 30 July, at Bath Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to 13 separate thefts from a local supermarket, as well as 13 breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) imposed just last month.

Beaverstock was previously handed a three-year CBO in June following her conviction for 30 counts of theft committed earlier this year. Despite the court order, she reoffended in July, prompting her arrest by officers from the Bath neighbourhood policing team.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Tom Allwood-Coppin condemned the repeat offending, saying:

“Beaverstock is a persistent offender and her repeated shoplifting is having a significant impact on businesses in Bath. It’s something we’re taking incredibly seriously and is one of our main areas of focus.

Criminal Behaviour Orders are an important tool in helping us deal with prolific offenders. The breaches of her order have meant she’s now been handed a significant prison sentence.”

The case has shone a light on the mounting cost of retail crime, which not only affects a store’s bottom line but also undermines safety and confidence in the community. Independent retailers and larger supermarkets alike have reported increased losses, with staff often left to deal with the emotional toll of repeated theft and confrontation.

Retail theft is estimated to cost UK businesses billions of pounds annually, with many small businesses struggling to absorb the losses. It can lead to higher prices, reduced stock availability, and even store closures—consequences that ripple through entire communities.

In areas like Bath, where community-focused policing is essential, officers are under growing pressure to tackle prolific offenders and prevent reoffending. Cases like Beaverstock’s highlight the delicate balance between rehabilitation and enforcement in ensuring public safety and economic resilience.

Avon and Somerset Police urge members of the public and businesses to report suspicious activity and support initiatives aimed at reducing retail crime.