Man issued with a five year Criminal Behaviour Order

A 34-year-old man has been banned from shops in the city for five years after neighbourhood officers secured an order to tackle his anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

Steven Donovon Smith, of no fixed address, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 13 May, where magistrates granted a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after Staffordshire Police and partner agencies outlined the issues being caused by Smith. 

The order, which became live the same day, prohibits Smith from entering Festival Park and three retail premises in Hanley town centre. 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: “The message to individuals who persistently cause problems in our communities is simple – we will take action.

“Our officers are regularly visiting businesses in Stoke-on-Trent to not only show our presence in the area, but to find out what issues they are experiencing and what we can do to support them.

“If anyone does have any concerns we urge them to get in touch and we would also ask the public to make us aware if anyone in receipt of an order breaches it.”

Photo of Steven Smith