Chelmsford shoplifter banned from stores across Essex

Arrested - Ryan Hammod, 39 of Nickleby Road, Chelmsford <i>(Image: Essex Police)</i>
Arrested - Ryan Hammod, 39 of Nickleby Road, Chelmsford (Image: Essex Police)
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A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering selected stores in Essex for two years.

Ryan Hammond, 39, of Nickleby Road, Chelmsford, was caught targeting multiple shops in Chelmsford city centre between July 17 and 29, including Co-op, Tesco and M&S.

He was arrested by Chelmsford’s Neighbourhood Policing Team on Friday, July 30, and charged shortly afterwards.

At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, August 1, Hammond admitted seven counts of theft from a shop.

He was handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) as part of his sentence.

Sergeant Graham Thomas of Chelmsford NPT said: "Shoplifting is a blight on our communities and has a real impact on the businesses targeted and their staff.

"We take this type of crime really seriously, no matter how big or small the value of the theft is."

The CBO prohibits Hammond from entering any Co-op, Tesco or M&S stores in Essex, and from being intoxicated in Chelmsford city centre.

He has also been told he must engage with drug and alcohol support.

Sgt Thomas added: "We’re committed to keeping businesses safe, whether they be your local independent retailer or a larger chain.

"Across the Chelmsford district in the last year we’ve solved 520 of these offences, that’s more than 120 more than the previous year, which works out as a 31 percent increase."

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