Prolific Solihull shoplifter jailed and banned from stores after five-month spree

A prolific shoplifter who committed dozens of offences in Solihull over a five-month period has been put behind bars.

Adam Ford used to go to shops and fill up a bag with items and then just walk out without paying.

The 36-year-old did this between December 2023 and April this year but was spotted on CCTV stealing alcohol from a shop in Marston Green on Sunday, March 24. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

Ford, from Hatchford Walk in Chelmsley Wood, was charged with 37 different offences.

He was jailed for 16 weeks for shop thefts, possession of cannabis and breach of bail conditions at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (April 17).

He was also banned from entering the shops involved for three years.

West Midlands Police stated:

“As part of our more local policing model our teams across investigations, neighbourhood and response are now working closer together to prevent and tackle crimes which impact on our communities. Using local officer knowledge and working with store security, we are able to identify suspects, and any emerging trends or hotspots quicker.

“We routinely carry out regular high visibility patrols in retail areas, along with other activity, to trace and catch offenders.