A notorious shoplifter was caught red-handed stealing pants from M&S. The thief was nabbed by a security team, who lifted the lid on their shopping centre's crime epidemic as part of Channel 5 show Shoplifters: At War With The Law.
The security team at the Coventry shopping centre say the thief had been previously handed out a banning order from the store, reports Coventry Live. They say the man is a 'repeat offender' but he is unfazed from his previous failed escapades as he has a drug habit to feed with his thieving.
One of the security team said: "He is that prolific, he has that much of a necessity to feed a habit that it doesn't matter it is a lifetime ban, he will still be in.
Another member of the team added: "It is a shame. Some of them fall into a trap and it becomes a vicious cycle."
The show continued to look at other crimes in the Coventry shopping centre including a man stealing from Bodycare. After being nabbed, he told the security team: "I lost my job and am trying to make ends meet."
The thief was then escorted to the holding room and given a ban. As he left he apologised for stealing, saying: "Sorry about that".
His remorse led to the security team saying: "You get quite a few people that feel sorry for them. It is genuinely heartbreaking."
The show then moved onto look at sophisticated shop lifters who used tactics to steal. This included one couple spotted with their own shopping basket in Bodycare.
A member of the security team explained: "It is not an unusual tactic to use an existing basket. It is one of the tactics they use.
"One puts the other items into the basket and goes to the checkout, while the other takes it out." The woman protested her innocence and insisted it was a mistake when confronted by security.
The devious duo were then let off, handing back the items. The Channel 5 show Shoplifters: At War With The Law. continues next Wednesday night at 8pm.
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