A PROLIFIC shoplifter has been banned from dozens of shops across Basildon Town Centre.

Gemma Reed, 38, of Orchid Place, Basildon, has been ordered to keep out of 14 shops in the town centre for up to two years.

She has been convicted of a series of thefts from stores in and around town centre which took place in February this year.

She was also convicted of charges of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and obstructing a constable in the execution of duty.

At Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 7 May she was given a nine week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.

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Here's a list of all the shops she's been banned from: 

  • Spec Savers Opticians, Town Square
  • Savers ,Town Square
  • Cake Box , South Walk,
  • Cost Cutters, Elizabeth Court,
  • Boots the Chemist, Town Square
  • Boots the Chemist , Ballards Walk
  • Good Food Pekinese & Cantonese, Station Gate
  • Asda, Eastgate Centre
  • Holland & Barrett, Eastgate Centre
  • Spar, Ballards Walk
  • Lidl Manor Road
  • JD Sports Westgate Park
  • B&M Town Square,
  • Home Bargains, Westgate Park

PC Alex Plakhtienko, from the Business Crime Team, said: "We support businesses in our communities across Essex and know the impact shoplifting and theft can have on them.

“We have taken action to ensure a prolific shoplifter can no longer target and cause harm to businesses in and around Basildon town centre.

“We work alongside businesses to help protect them from crime and deal with issues they face.

“It’s just another way we’re protecting and serving Essex.”

“We are aware retail staff have been suffering violence and abuse, which is unacceptable at any time but especially during the pandemic when so many of them have been serving us throughout Through Open for Business Closed for Crime, we are working with businesses, encouraging them to report incidents to us.

"And, if you are a retail worker who is assaulted or abused by a customer whilst at work, please also report it.

“It’s going to be busy for retail now so it’s a good time for us all to give a clear message to potential offenders that assaults on and abuse of public-facing staff will not be tolerated.”