Liam Hutchinson Caught After Nearly 100 Thefts
A notorious shoplifter, Liam Hutchinson, has been slapped with a 12-month jail sentence and banned from every Boots store across the UK for a decade. The Met Police say he stole Overover £100,000 Worthworth of goods in a spree spanning May to August 2025.
CCTV footage reveals Hutchinson stuffing his bags and jacket with high-value items like electrical gadgets and razors. In one clip, a store worker tries to stop him but he’s off before they can react.
Harsh Sentences and Tough Bans
On top of the jail term, Hutchinson received a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order barring him from all Boots shops nationwide. He’s also banned for five years from entering england/england/chelsea/”>chelsea/”>Chelsea and Kensington.
“Hutchinson targeted Boots stores across Chelsea and Kensington, costing the business a whopping £107,000 in losses,” said Sergeant Jack Vine from the Met’s Volume Crime Team.
He added, “This sentence sends a clear message: retail crime will not be tolerated. We’ll crack down hard on those who pick on workers and rack up huge business losses.”
Boots and Police Join Forces
Boots’ Head of Security, Nicky Harrop, explained their zero-tolerance stance. “We’re investing heavily in preventing theft, protecting staff, and supporting police with solid evidence to tackle crime.”
With shoplifting soaring in London — up 54% since 2023 — Boots and the Met say collaboration is key to Keepingkeeping stores safe for customers and staff alike.
Shoplifting Crisis in London
- Almost 90,000 shoplifting offences were recorded in London in 2024, a sharp Riserise from 58,000 the year before (ONS data).
- Meanwhile, shoplifting increased 15% across England outside London.
- Theft from individuals in London also shot up 41% last year.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office insists he’s determined to tackle crime and its root causes, though he blamed London’s shoplifting levels partly on having “a lot of shops” compared to other areas.
Public Reaction
Not everyone is convinced about enforcement. One commenter quipped: “Who’s actually going to make sure this ban sticks? Police? Probation? Nope. He’ll be out in months, thanks to lenient policing.”
What This Means
Hutchinson’s conviction is a stark reminder that shoplifting is a massive issue in London and that the Met is finally cracking down. But with millions lost and thousands of offences rising, the battle-wales/”>battle is far from over. www.uknip.co.uk/where/united-kingdom/england/chelsea
