Three men have been jailed for a total of more than 10 years after stealing more than £30,000 worth of goods from stores across the UK, including in Hampshire.
Simon Corcoran, 26, Stephen Ward, 20, and Conor Ward, 22, all of Lynton Close, London, targeted stores across 15 counties between December 2023 and October 2024, focusing mainly on health and beauty products.
The group threatened and abused staff when challenged and left stores without paying for items, Winchester Crown Court was told.
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The men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal from a shop and were jailed at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, November 19.
Corcoran was jailed for three years and six months, Stephen Ward for three years and four months, and Conor Ward for three years and three months.
They were also given Criminal Behaviour Orders lasting six years.
The orders ban them from entering stores together or any retail premises where they are prohibited from, require them to place all items in baskets or trolleys until paid for, and to leave a store if asked.
Of the 29 offences investigated, Corcoran was involved in 26, Stephen Ward in 25, and Conor Ward in 18.
Four offences took place in Hampshire, including thefts from Morrisons in Farnborough, Sainsbury’s in Hook and Hedge End, and the Co-op in Whitchurch.
PC Kirstie Bough, from the Hart Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This investigation all stemmed from a single report of theft from Sainsbury's in Hook, and then further work alongside Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons intel hubs, we were able to identify the bigger picture.
"These individuals were organised in what they did, regularly changing cars to avoid being caught, cutting out lining of puffer jackets, and travelling far and wide, targeting 15 different counties from Hampshire, up to Greater Manchester.
"Shoplifting, especially to this scale, impacts us all as it leads to an increase in prices of products on the shelves and it is also incredibly demoralising for staff in the shops who are working hard to do their jobs.
"I also want to thank Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Morrisons, as well as the National Business Crime Solution, for their help in the investigation.
"The trio will now spend a considerable time behind bars for what they did, and I hope this result highlights that our officers will relentlessly pursue criminals and do all we can to ensure shoplifters are caught, investigated and put before the courts."
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