A man has been banned from shops up and down the country after he repeatedly shoplifted in the area.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, Luke Betts, aged 35, of no fixed abode, was given a two-year CBO and a two-year SVRO following a hearing at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 5.

Betts previously pleaded guilty on May 8 to three counts of shoplifting and one count each of possession of a bladed article in a public place and criminal damage.

On March 22, Betts cut a tracking tag which was worth £440 belonging to Thames Valley Police.

Then, between April 3 and April 16, Betts entered shops on Trelawney Avenue and Scafell Road and stole cleaning laundry products in excess of £500 in total.

Officers arrested Betts on April 17, and upon arrest he was found to be in possession of a bladed article in a public place. Betts was subsequently charged for all three incidents the following day.

The Criminal Behaviour Order prevents Betts from:

  • Entering Scafell Road, Slough, Berkshire;
  • Entering any Co-op food store in England and Wales;
  • Entering any Morrison's or Morrison's Daily Store in England and Wales;
  • Entering any premises that has served a banning notice on him;
  • Placing any item for sale in anything other than a shopping basket prior to payment being made;
  • Concealing any item for sale on his person at any retail premises;
  • Concealing his face or head when entering any retail premises.

A Serious Violence Reduction Order is a civil order that can be placed on someone who has been convicted of an offence that involved a bladed item or offensive weapon.

Betts can now be stopped in public spaces by the police, who do not need reasonable grounds, and searched to find out if they’re carrying a bladed item or offensive weapon.

Investigating officer PC Abdullah Rafie of the Slough Neighbourhood team, said: “Luke Betts’ prolific offending has caused a detrimental impact on local businesses and this CBO gives police an additional power of arrest for any breach and reflects the local police’s positive action to tackle shoplifters.

“The SVRO allow us to apply further pressure on those who have been involved in knife offences so that we can keep our communities safe. This should send a clear a message to those who think it is acceptable or necessary to carry a weapon, that there are consequences.

“I hope this arrest, charge, conviction and sentencing shows that we will take robust action to deal with anyone involved in criminality in Slough to keep our communities safe.”