A prolific shoplifter who targeted stores across Hatfield will spend Christmas behind bars after being handed a jail sentence.
Jessica Power, 28, of Cunningham Avenue, Hatfield, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, November 22, having pleaded guilty to eight shoplifting offences, two counts of vehicle interference and theft from a vehicle.
In October, the Welwyn Hatfield West Neighbourhood Policing Team began receiving reports of a woman who was targeting Hatfield's Boots for shoplifting, with the team working alongside the store to capture evidence and the suspect who was quickly identified as Power.
Over the course of the next couple of weeks, the team identified a number of crimes that had been closed with no suspect identified and subsequently reopened the investigations.
As a result, Power was linked to five thefts from Boots across October and November, as well as three shopliftings from Aldi which happened in November.
Proactive patrols were carried out to try and locate Power, and during this time, three further crimes came to light which included two vehicle interferences and one theft from a motor vehicle in the Hatfield area.
The team quickly reviewed CCTV and again identified the suspect as Power.
On Friday, November 21, she was located and arrested in the Hatfield area, having stolen goods to the value of around £800.
Sergeant Mitchell Cartwright, who leads the Welwyn Hatfield West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is great news for the local business community who were being affected by Power’s offending. Our officers worked hard to bring Power to justice and this should be a warning to others who think they can get away with shoplifting.
"We know the festive period can see an increase in shopliftings which is why we will be running a dedicated operation throughout December. Operation Hornet will see increased patrols aiming to deter shoplifting, arrest offenders and reassure local businesses."
Chief Inspector Pete Frost added: "We take a strong stance against shoplifting and Operation Hornet will ensure that shoplifters cannot get away with their crimes.
"The operation will run alongside the countywide 'Winter of Action' campaign, which follows the success of the Safer Town Centres campaign which ran over summer.
"Shoppers, business owners and those enjoying the night-time economy can expect to see a heightened police presence in the town centres as we work to keep the community safe."
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