Woman who intimidated shoppers with begging handed Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction

A woman who has intimated shoppers and persistently shoplifted in Gloucester has been served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI).

Fay Reese, aged 43, was reported to have targeted vulnerable people in the city centre while begging for money.

She was served with the injunction on Friday 9 June following a hearing at Cheltenham and Gloucester County Court.

The case against Reese was brought by Solace, a joint team of officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.

The order, which runs until 9 June 2024, bans her from:

1. Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm or harassment or distress to any person living in or visiting the City of Gloucester at any time;
2. Using or threatening to use violence towards any person living in or visiting the City of Gloucester at any time;
3. Entering or being in the area around Gloucester Transport Hub;
4. Asking any person for money, not owed to her, within the City of Gloucester;
5. Entering or being in Tesco Express, London Road, Gloucester and Tesco Express, Southgate Street, Gloucester at any time.

Solace Street Aware Lead Officer Adam Stevens said: “Reese has not only persistently targeted vulnerable people in the city with her intimidating begging activity, but has also engaged in regular shoplifting activity.

“Despite numerous attempts to engage with her, she has refused to interact and has continued with her behaviours.

"This order was sought in an effort to protect the public whilst curtailing her behaviours and to provide some respite to those working, living in and visiting our city.

“We work with our partners in the Police, the City Protection Officers and City Safe to make it clear that this type of behaviour, which has a negative impact on our City, will not be tolerated.”

City Safe manager Steve Lindsay said: “Fay Reese has become a real problem for retailers and visitors to our city. Her behaviour consists of anything from shoplifting to becoming aggressive and begging from the elderly and vulnerable.

“I fully support and welcome this injunction. We tried very hard to provide support Fay via our partner agencies, but exhausted all attempts.”

Anyone witnessing Reese breach her injunction is asked to report it through the Solace team on 01452 396396.