A PROLIFIC shoplifter stole more than £1,400 of goods including beauty products, sports clothing and children’s toys.

Graham Ridealgh, 52 and of no fixed abode, targeted shops in Bournemouth town centre between Friday, December 1, 2023 and Saturday, March 30, 2024.

He committed regular thefts at Boots in Christchurch Road, One-Stop in Southbourne Grove, Co-Op in Cranleigh Road and Sports Direct in the Sovereign Centre.

As well as beauty products, sports clothing and children’s toys, he also stole food and alcohol.

Ridealgh was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, June 24, after he pleaded guilty to shoplifting and non-dwelling burglary offences.

An investigation into the shoplifting incidents by the Investigation Resolution Centre (IRC) retail team using intelligence, offender behaviour patterns and CCTV footage.

This identified Ridealgh as the culprit.

Chief Inspector Alyssa Forrest, of Dorset Police, said: “The investigation into Ridealgh’s shoplifting was part of further Op Shopkeeper work, which is an ongoing effort to identify prolific shoplifters and take robust action against them to create a hostile environment for offending.

“During the last seven months, Op Shopkeeper has targeted 20 prolific shoplifters and secured convictions.

“We will continue to operate to prevent further harm to the business community.

“We will continue to work closely with Community Safety partners and the Business Improvement Districts (BID) to identify thieves who repeatedly target retail premises and theft hotspots to help reduce the cost and impact of this offending on our communities.”