A MAN has been charged with 18 counts of theft in Bournemouth.

Between Saturday, August 3 and Tuesday August 20, 2024, there were 18 reports of thefts from shops in Charminster Road and Ripon Road.

Following enquiries, 35-year-old Simon Phillipe Pope, from North Dorset was arrested and charged with 18 counts of theft from a shop.

He appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday September 30 and is next due to appear at the same court on Wednesday October 23.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have been working with the business community to investigate these reported incidents and will continue to identify anyone suspected of stealing from shops.”