Prolific shoplifter banned from all Co-op stores in England and Wales

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 20:27

By David Murphy

Anthony Englishby handed two-year exclusion order and suspended prison sentence following thefts in Stockport

A serial shoplifter has been banned from entering any Co-op store in England and Wales for the next two years, following a successful arrest by neighbourhood officers in Stockport.

Anthony John Englishby, born 9 July 1978 and of no fixed address, was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence by Tameside Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to 10 theft offences on 5 May 2025. The court also imposed an exclusion order, effective until May 2027, which prevents him from entering more than 2,000 Co-op stores across the country.

Englishby was arrested in Wythenshawe by officers from the Stockport West Neighbourhood Policing Team, after targeting two Co-op shops in Heald Green during March and April this year.

His case is one of many amid a sharp rise in arrests and prosecutions for retail crime across the borough. In Stockport alone, shoplifting arrests have increased by nearly 50% over the past year, while charges are up 45%.

Chief Inspector Clare Ryle said the arrest reflected Greater Manchester Police’s proactive approach:
“We understand the frustrations from businesses and the general public when some people feel they can shoplift with impunity. That is why we are tackling shoplifting right across Stockport and taking the necessary action.

“Working closely with local businesses, we’ve used Criminal Behaviour Orders to keep repeat offenders away from key retail areas, and this has proven to be an effective deterrent. The arrest and prosecution of Englishby is a result of good police work and shows we will pursue offenders.”

There are currently 12 CBOs in place in Stockport town centre, six of which have stemmed from Operation Rimini, a regular crackdown targeting repeat offenders.

Other individuals recently given CBOs include Kelsey Atwell (born 12 July 2004), who is banned from 17 shops in Stockport, and Mark Swindells (born 16 December 1970), who cannot enter any Co-op, Greggs or Tesco store across Greater Manchester.

A spokesperson for Co-op said: “Prolific offenders can blight high streets and local communities. Their actions often lead to anti-social behaviour and violence against shop workers.

“We work closely with local police and welcome this targeted focus on community crime. Measures like these help build safer, more resilient neighbourhoods.”