Prolific shoplifter given CBO

Banned from Northallerton and Thirsk 

A prolific shoplifter, Stephen Steele, 39, of Hartington Road in Stockton-on-Tees, has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison and given a 5-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from Northallerton and Thirsk.

Steele pleaded guilty / was found guilty of a series of thefts from stores in Thirsk and Northallerton between November and December 2025.

PC Atkinson from Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team first identified Steele after a theft at Tesco in Thirsk on 23rd November and he was circulated as wanted.

On 12th December, one of our Police Community Support Officers spotted him after a theft at Boots in Thirsk Marketplace before he fled the scene, prompting a large response from NPT, Response and RPG units. He was arrested and charged and remanded to court the next day where he was subsequently bailed.

After another theft on 31st December from Marks & Spencer in Northallerton, Steele was identified and circulated as wanted again.

Finally, on 9th January, a plain-clothed Community Safety Hub officer spotted him acting suspiciously in Northallerton. Response officers swifty moved in and arrested him.

Steele appeared at court (13th January) and was imprisoned for 20 weeks, ordered to pay £300 compensation, to pay £154 victim surcharge and was handed a 5-year Criminal Behaviour Order. The order mandates that Steele;

 Must not enter Northallerton

 Must not enter Thirsk

Must attend a Retail Crime Awareness Course

Inspector Rory Sadler of Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“PC Ben Atkinson from Hambleton NPT and PC Paul Mushens from the Hambleton Community Safety Hub worked together to secure this Criminal Behaviour Order, which will protect retail premises in Northallerton and Thirsk for the next five years.

“Retail crime is a key priority for Hambleton NPT, and Steele’s CBO follows a similar order issued just weeks ago to another offender.

“Hambleton is a fantastic place to visit and shop, with a low crime rate. That makes us even more determined to tackle those who try to spoil that. We will continue to use every tool available, including court orders, to clamp down on offending and keep our communities safe.”

Great work to all involved in this one