Friday, December 12, 2025
Two men have been jailed after a number of the thefts in Burnley.
Sean Nerney, 46, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged for four shoplifting offences and Mark Butterworth, 47, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged for five shoplifting offences.
On Saturday 4th December 2025, both appeared before Blackburn Magistrates Court where they each received 12 weeks in prison.
Butterworth was also issued with a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order which prevents him from entering the following places and car parks:
Local Neighbourhood Sergeant for Burnley, Paul Foster, said: “We know that shoplifting can have a huge impact on the community and businesses in the area, and we will continue to tackle these issues.”
Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw and the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC).
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: "As Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, I will continue to work alongside the Chief Constable to establish a more proactive approach to shoplifting, with better protection for shop workers and improved relationships between retailers and the police.”
