Friday, November 21, 2025
A prolific shoplifter who targeted stores across Burnley has been jailed.
On 19 November 2025, Christopher Chapman, 43, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with ten shoplifting offences which occurred between 11 October and 14 November 2025.
On Thursday (20 November 2025) Chapman pleaded guilty to all ten offences and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison at Blackburn Magistrates Court.
Inspector Matt Plummer from the Burnley Neighbourhood Policing team said: "Shoplifting has a significant impact on local businesses and the communities they serve. It is not a victimless crime.
"Through Operation Vulture, we will continue to work alongside our partners to ensure that shoplifters are brought before the courts and held accountable for their actions. We will deal with shoplifting robustly.”
Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
The operation sees dedicated officers undertaking hotspot patrolling, increasing their visibility in targeted areas, and creating strong partnerships with retailers across the county to better share intelligence, get a deeper understanding of retail crime and identify more offenders.
To find out more information about Op Vulture please visit Op Vulture | Lancashire Constabulary.