Serial Tap Thief Busted in Multi-Store Spree
Daniel Cleveland, 33, of Bromley, has been jailed for three years after confessing to stealing taps worth around £16,000 from 11 B&Q stores across Kent, Essex, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, and London. The theft spree lasted 13 months, targeting branches from February 2024 to March 2025.
Caught on Camera: Fencing Stolen Goods Over Store Fence
Cleveland didn't act alone. With an accomplice, he was caught by security cameras at the B&Q Larkfield store in Kent, hurling stolen taps over a fence inside the garden centre. The duo then collected the loot on the other side and loaded it into a getaway car sporting false number plates.
Police Crack Down on Retail Crime
Arrested at his home in April, Cleveland pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft and three counts of attempted theft at Lewes Crown Court. Officers are still hunting for his partner-in-crime. Despite this, none of the stolen goods have been recovered yet.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, lead for retail crime at the Met, said: "We prioritise neighbourhood policing to tackle issues Londoners care about, including shoplifting. Working with B&Q, we targeted these thefts and increased shoplifting convictions by 92% this year."
B&Q Boss Delivers Stern Warning to Shoplifters
Simon Moss, B&Q Security and Commercial Stock Loss Manager, commented: "This case shows the strength of partnership between retailers and police. Shoplifting isn't a victimless crime. We stand firm in protecting our staff and customers and will back law enforcement to the hilt to catch offenders."
Timeline of Thefts & Attempts
- Feb 26, 2024 – Attempted theft, B&Q Larkfield, Kent
- Aug 27, 2024 – Theft, B&Q Greenwich, London
- Aug 29, 2024 – Theft, B&Q Ashford, Kent
- Sep 1, 2024 – Theft, B&Q Farnborough, Hampshire
- Sep 3, 2024 – Attempted theft, B&Q Milton Keynes, Bucks
- Sep 23, 2024 – Attempted theft, B&Q Ashford, Kent
- Sep 23, 2024 – Theft, B&Q West Thurrock, Essex
- Oct 23, 2024 – Theft, B&Q Farnborough, Hampshire
- Nov 13, 2024 – Theft, B&Q Braintree, Essex
- Mar 12, 2025 – Theft, B&Q Greenwich, London
- Mar 20, 2025 – Theft, B&Q Larkfield, Kent
