Shoplifter is banned from wearing WIGS after being caught in disguise

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from wearing wigs after being caught multiple times trying to disguise herself to commit crimes. 

Hannah Roberts, 33, was banned from entering Gloucester city centre as well as any shops participating in the Gloucester City Safe scheme by a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) issued earlier this month.

Despite this she repeatedly ignored the sanction and when challenged by staff or security officers in shops, Roberts reportedly became abusive and ran off with stolen items.

In an effort to get around the ban, she had also taken to wearing a variety of wigs to disguise herself.

However a distinctive tattoo on her neck meant that staff were able to easily recognise her. 

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Stores are suffering two thefts every minute as retail theft hits highest level since records began

As such under her CBO she is also prohibited from wearing a wig or hairpiece designed to change her appearance when entering any retail premises.

Police Constable Andy Plant, from Gloucestershire Constabulary's Vulnerabilities Team, said: 'Our retail industry is suffering because of these persistent shoplifters.

'Roberts has been the top shoplifting offender in the last few months and we now have another tool to deal with her in the shape of this Criminal Behaviour Order.

'We will continue to support our businesses in the city and its surrounds by targeting shoplifters and obtaining further orders at court where possible.'

This comes as new data reveals Britain's stores are suffering two thefts every minute as retail theft has hit its highest level since records began.

A staggering 469,788 offences were logged in the year to June 2024, which is up 29 per cent on the 365,173 recorded in the previous 12 months.

It equates to a horrifying 9,000 offences a week and 1,290 a day - meaning there are two every minute for the average store's 10 hour opening times.

The number of thefts has also surged by 20 per cent to 139,368 offences, the highest number recorded since April 2002.

At the same time, robberies have risen by six per cent to 81,931 in a year, and robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument were also up 11 per cent in the period.

Chief constables now face questions about policing priorities after official data revealed nearly 6,000 crimes went unsolved every day last year, with 40 per cent of all recorded crimes going unpunished.

The alarming figures come a year after forces made unprecedented pledges to investigate reasonable lines of inquiry in every crime and visit every single burgled home after a national uplift programme delivered an extra 20,000 officers.

Yet despite all the promises and new recruits, the latest figures suggest that thousands of people are still being denied justice every day.