Two men will appear in court today and a third has been remanded in custody following a string of retail thefts amounting to almost £2000 across North Yorkshire.
The charges come as part of North Yorkshire Police’s ongoing crackdown on retail crime in the Harrogate and Ripon areas.
The action follows multiple high-value shop thefts affecting a number of local businesses, including Co-op, Sainsbury’s, One Stop and Booths.
Charges
A 40-year-old man from Halifax has been charged with 15 counts of shop theft and two further theft offences, committed between 15th May and 19th June 2025.
The thefts took place at Sainsbury’s, Co-op, and One Stop stores in Harrogate, with items including steaks and laundry products.
The total value stolen is £1,280.40. He was remanded in custody following his arrest yesterday, and is due to appear in court today (26 June).
A 29-year-old man from Limerick has been charged with seven counts of shop theft, relating to offences committed between 6th May and 6th June 2025.
All seven offences targeted a different Co-op branch in Harrogate, with stolen goods including alcohol and meat, valued at £306.55. He is also due to appear in court today.
A 36-year-old man from Harrogate has been charged and remanded to prison for nine counts of shop theft, committed between 11th June and 16th June 2025.
Eight of the offences occurred at Booths in Ripon and one at Sainsbury’s in Ripon.
The total value stolen was £321.90, mainly involving alcohol spirits. He is due to appear for sentencing in July.
Police response
Inspector Holly Nicholls of the Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“Retail crime is not a victimless offence. It places a significant financial burden on local businesses, many of which are already under pressure, and creates a ripple effect throughout our communities.
“Shop theft impacts the livelihoods of business owners and their employees, increases prices for honest customers, and can often involve violence, intimidation, or anti-social behaviour that leaves shop workers feeling vulnerable in their place of work.
“Our neighbourhood policing teams are committed to identifying repeat offenders and working with our partners, including local retailers and local networks, to ensure swift and effective action is taken.
“This week’s court appearances show that we are listening to the concerns of local businesses and communities and that we will not tolerate those who repeatedly target our area.
“We will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to shop theft, and we urge anyone affected, whether you’re a business owner, a staff member, or a member of the public, to report it. Your information helps us build stronger cases and take the action needed to protect our town and city centres.”
Reporting information
Anyone with information about shop theft or suspicious activity is encouraged to report it via our website, calling 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on via their website or 0800 555 111.
