Prolific shoplifter jailed following investigation by Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing team

A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses across Cheltenham on numerous occasions has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Emily Dixon, aged 39 and of no fixed abode, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court for sentencing last Thursday (12 December) after pleading guilty to seven charges.

Officers from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team had issued a Criminal Behaviour Order against Dixon in 2023 following several reports of shoplifting.

As part of the order, Dixon is banned from entering shops across Gloucestershire.

On 25 November she was served with a banning notice on behalf of the Cheltenham Daysafe community which detailed the shops she is banned from and stated that she will be trespassing if she enters them again in the future.

Since being issued with the banning notice, police received five reports of Dixon entering shops and stealing items.

These reports detailed how Dixon entered Marks and Spencers as a trespasser on two occasions, and stole hundreds of pounds worth of meat. Due to the banning order preventing Dixon from being at the shops, she was committing a burglary by entering and stealing.

Dixon then continued to breach her Criminal Behaviour Order by entering Poundland on two occasions and Tesco on one.

Officers conducted enquiries into the reports and arrested the 39-year-old on suspicion of burglary last week.

Dixon was later charged with one count of attempted burglary, one count of burglary and five breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

PC Will Hayes from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing team said: "Dixon has been a prolific shoplifter across Cheltenham and has many previous convictions, including ones only a few months ago. This sentencing will now bring closure for the businesses that she has relentlessly targeted.

"Charging Dixon with burglary is a new approach being taken to prosecute prolific shoplifters. On this occasion Dixon was trespassing by entering the shops which is classed as burglary.

"Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and this investigation shows the level of our dedication in targeting shoplifters.

"I also hope that this shows other shoplifters that we will continue to leave no stone un-turned when it comes to investigating prolific individuals. We will look to prosecute others in this way as we aim to make Cheltenham a safer place for all."