A PROLIFIC shoplifter has been jailed after stealing more than £7,500 worth of items from shops in Bournemouth.

Artur Chochel, 34, pleaded guilty to 45 counts of theft from a shop, as well as 22 counts of breaching a restraining order.

His offending spanned between December 11, 2023, and February 25, and saw him target the Co-op in Charminster Road, One Stop in Ripon Road and Sainsbury’s in Wimborne Road.

In total, Chochel, stole items totalling approximately £7,775.

An investigation was carried out into the incidents by the Investigation Resolution Centre Retail Team using intelligence, offender behaviour patterns and CCTV footage, which meant that Chochel was identified as the culprit.

Chochel, of Milton Road in Bournemouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, August 12, to two years and three months in prison.

He was also handed a restraining order that prohibits him from entering Co-op stores in Cranleigh Road and Charminster Road, as well as One Stop in Ripon Road for a period of five years.

Chief inspector Alyssa Forrest, of Dorset Police, said: “This case reflects the determination of the Retail Team to bring prolific offenders such as Chochel to justice and provide reassurance to retailers and the wider community.

“I am pleased that Chochel is now behind bars and facing the consequences for his actions. He was stealing from shops on an almost daily basis, resulting in a significant loss for the businesses involved.

“The investigation into this defendant 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.

“We have recently secured other convictions as part of Op Shopkeeper and will continue to do all we can to prevent further harm to the business community.

“As part of this work, court orders have been obtained that prohibit the defendants from entering the shops where they have previously caused significant harm. If they breach these orders, they can be brought back before the court.

“We will continue to work closely with community safety partners and the business improvement districts to identify prolific shoplifters and theft hotspots to help reduce the cost and blight of theft on our communities.”