Man convicted of 14 shoplifting offences in Eastbourne

A man has been convicted following a prolific series of shopliftings in Eastbourne.

Adam Summerford, 33, of no fixed address, appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 30, and pleaded guilty to 14 charges of theft.

The court heard he stole items from The Range, Sports Direct, Co-op and Sainsbury’s between October 23 and November 26. 

Items included a vacuum cleaner, clothing, alcohol and food.

Working alongside the businesses, police gathered CCTV, which clearly identified Summerford as the suspect.

He was arrested on Monday, November 28, and remanded in custody. 

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (November 30), he was handed a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to undertake a drug rehabilitation programme. 

PC Christopher Holmes, of Eastbourne, Lewes & Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Adam Summerford is a prolific offender and was identified thanks to the collaboration between Sussex Police, businesses and our partners in the community.

“This teamwork is vital in catching repeat offenders who are causing harm to our communities – not only financial losses to the businesses they target, but to the shop workers who are intimidated and forced into impossible situations.

“We will continue to work alongside the business community to protect them from harm and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Sussex Police has its own Business Crime Team (BCT) dedicated to tackling business crime and provide support to our business communities.

The team support the business community by working closely with partners such as the Business Crime Reduction Partnership and Safer Sussex Business Partnership (SSBP), businesses, and customers to bring intelligence together across the county.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, who launched the SSBP in February 2020, said: “I know from working closely with our local businesses, the negative impact that these constant and aggressive crimes can have, particularly in creating a sense of fear in those who work within our retail industry.

"This simply isn’t acceptable as it is fundamental for people to feel safe at work – crimes of this kind may appear low value but are never low impact.

“This arrest is another great example of Sussex Police, businesses and partners working together to get prolific offenders off our streets.

"Through sharing vital information and understanding trends in criminality, our dedicated Business Crime Team continues to crack down on relentless shoplifters.

“It all helps to make our high streets a safer, more welcoming environment where people want to come to work and shop.”