A man has been spared jail after multiple reports of theft from three different Greggs bakery stores in Brighton city centre.
Police said Nigel Holland was charged with four thefts and assaulting a police office while he was being arrested.
There were more than 20 further reports of theft involving the 51-year-old, according to officers.
He was remanded and appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court where he admitted the offences.
Holland was given a suspended prison sentence and 50 hours unpaid community work.
He was also given a Community Protect Notice (CPN) last month which banned him from areas of central Brighton.
He has not been reported by any Greggs stores in the city for stealing since.
Force business crime lead Chris Neilson said:
"We will pursue those who persistently target and steal from our local businesses regardless of the value and type of goods. It is not a victimless crime and impacts on local businesses and their customers.
"Shop workers who are there to help their customers should not suffer abuse, threats and even assault from those who believe it is acceptable to steal on a regular basis. We will continue to work in partnership with businesses to bring those that behave criminally in such a way to justice."
The Safer Sussex Business Partnership (SSBP) was set up by Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne in February 2020.
It brings together Sussex Police, local and national retailers and other interested partners to tackle the root causes of business crime, encourage swifter reporting and find better ways to work together to catch and punish all prolific offenders.
PCC Bourne said she was pleased that Sussex Police were now working more closely with local businesses and taking even greater action to target persistent offenders in our high streets and shopping areas.
"I am determined to find better ways of targeting offenders who continue to blight our business communities and, working with the SSBP, to find innovative ways of reducing the impact of these crimes.
"This type of rigorous investigating is exactly what local businesses have told me they want to see. It sends a strong message to criminals who wish to exploit our retail sector that they will be reported, caught and punished.
"It also helps build confidence among our local retail sector that appropriate action will be taken by Sussex Police to protect them, their livelihoods and their customers.
"Sussex Police recognise that theft is a crime that should receive an appropriate response and there is no minimum monetary threshold applied to what will, or will not be, investigated."
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