Wednesday, September 30, 2026
A man has been jailed for a number of shoplifting offences in Burnley.
Robert Simpson, 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison when he appeared at Blackburn Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 29 September).
He was arrested by plain clothed officers who were carrying out a proactive policing operation at Shell Service Station on Trafalgar Street on Monday afternoon (28 September), after he was named as a suspect for multiple thefts.
He was charged with four counts of theft from a shop and four breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and was also wanted on recall to prison.
Gar Cheung, Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing in Burnley, said: “This kind of criminality will not be tolerated, and we hope today’s result offers some justice to the local residents and businesses who have been targeted. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we continue to work with our local businesses to prevent these types of offences occurring as part of Operation Vulture."
Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.