A number of individuals have been arrested and handed prison sentences following a crackdown on prolific offenders in St Austell.

Three people have received prison sentences so far in June for a number of offences including shoplifting, as a result of thorough investigations carried out by the local neighbourhood police team.

Anya Curtis, aged 34, of Penarwyn Road, St Austell, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison after being charged with three counts of theft from shops including Tesco, TK Maxx and FarmFoods. She also found in breach of her criminal behaviour order.

Nathan Flower, aged 32, of Coinagehall Street, was sentenced on 16 June at Bodmin Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from shops. Over £460 worth of goods were stolen from shops including Boots and Co-Op.

Matthew Bradfield, aged 50, of no fixed abode, has received an 18-week sentence after stealing an e-bike worth £2.7k and causing £237 worth of damage to a property, purposely damaging the window. He was charged on 17 June at Bodmin Magistrates.

Police Inspector Simon Andrews, who heads up the neighbourhood police team in St Austell, commented on the recent sentencings: “Shoplifting is something that can have a hugely devastating impact on businesses, as well as their employees. This has been a real positive outcome for our team and for the wider community, especially for those traders who have been impacted by these prolific offenders.

“I hope this sends a message to local people and to those looking to offend – we are out there, investigating reports of business crime and taking robust action to put offenders before the courts. This work will not stop; if you’re committing crime, you will be identified and arrested.”

Addressing the wider general public, Insp Andrews added: “Your reports are vital in helping us to achieve results like this. We need you to tell us what’s happening and when. Without your information, it makes it harder for us to build a strong case with quality evidence.

“So please, continue reporting what you see and we’ll do the rest. Thank you.”

To report a crime or if you have information about crime, use the online reporting tool on www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/, or call 101. If a crime is taking place, call 999.

Crime can also be reported completely anonymously. Visit crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111 to report a crime with 100 per cent anonymity.