Police Action Secures Five-Year Shopping Ban for Persistent Harold Hill Shoplifter.

10th November 202610th November 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Harold Hill, Police, retail Crime, Shoplifter min read

A persistent shoplifter has been banned from entering a number of stores in Harold Hill.

Following his arrest in June, and several adjourned hearings, Martin Mahoney, 52, was found guilty of seven counts of theft from Greggs in Farnham Road, Harold Hill on 19 October at Barkingside Magistrates Court.

A five-year Criminal Behaviour Order was granted by the court, meaning the man must not enter Greggs, Co-op, Iceland, or Sainsbury’s on Farnham Road.

Mahoney’s offences were reported to the police via Auror, a platform shopkeepers have access to for quick reporting of incidents and thefts. The platform allows the police to gather large amounts of information quickly, and combine offences to make it easier to deal with persistent offenders.

Inspector Routley of Havering Safer Neighbourhoods said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It has a real impact on businesses, their employees and the wider community.

“Securing this five-year order is a significant result. By bringing together police, local authority partners and other agencies, we have been able to take a coordinated approach to addressing this individual’s behaviour and securing restrictions that protect a number of local businesses.

“Importantly, the order is not just about preventing access to a particular premises, it gives us a framework to actively manage and monitor their behaviour throughout the five year period, with enforcement action available if they breach the conditions. We will continue to use these powers, alongside out partners, to protect our high streets, support local businesses and ensure persistent offenders are held accountable.”

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