Man issued with three-year Criminal Behaviour Order

A 40-year-old man has been banned from shops in Stoke-on-Trent for three years after neighbourhood officers secured an order to tackle his anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

Lloyd Bradford, of no fixed address, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday (22 August), where magistrates granted a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after Staffordshire Police and partner agencies outlined the issues being caused by Bradford.

The order, which became live the same day, prohibits him entering Hanley town centre, Century Retail Park, Festival Park and Festival Heights.

Breaching any element of the CBO is a criminal offence and can result in a prison term.

Sergeant Chris Gifford, of Stoke North Neighbourhood Policing Team, welcomed the CBO – and says officers will continue to target those who cause issues across the city.

He said: “We are aware of those individuals that cause most harm to our communities and will do all we can within our powers to deal with them. We accept that some people are prolific and lead a life of crime so dealing with them for individual offences can be time consuming and doesn't give the community the protection it deserves.

“As a long-term approach, we’re looking at legislation to prevent the offending from happening in the first place. This includes a CBO where an individual is banned from a location or area. This allows us to deal with someone for a breach of this without them actually committing an offence.

“This makes it easier for us, will reduce the number of victims and due to being a court order, will give greater sentencing powers if there are breaches.

Julie Davies from Partnerships Against Business Crime In Staffordshire (PABCIS) added: “Businesses in the city centre and Festival Park will welcome the action taken against this individual. PABCIS has worked closely with Staffordshire Police, partners and business community providing evidence, and highlighting the impact of unacceptable behaviour on the business community, and to support the application for a CBO.

“Retail staff should be able to work in an environment which is free from harassment alarm and distress, and so this order goes a long way in supporting those businesses specifically targeted. PABCIS will continue to support its business community and provide evidence to support any further applications against other individuals which may be deemed necessary in order to protect staff, and visitors alike.”

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