Prolific Boots shoplifter jailed following Met Police investigation

A prolific shoplifter who stole more than £100,000 worth of goods from Boots stores across Chelsea and Kensington has been jailed following a Met Police investigation.

Liam Hutchinson, 32 (24.01.94), of no fixed address, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from every Boots store in the UK for 10 years.

He is also banned from entering the borough of Chelsea and Kensington for the next five years.

Met officers continue to relentlessly target wanted and prolific offenders through intelligence-led patrols and operations as part of increased police and partner activity, solving 163 per cent more shoplifting cases across the capital compared to this time last year.

Between May and August 2025, Hutchinson committed a total of 99 shoplifting offences, often stealing large quantities of electrical items and razors.

Hutchinson’s conviction is a result of an extensive investigation which saw Met officers work closely with Boots staff at all the stores he targeted, reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, images and statements to build a strong case of evidence against him.

Sergeant Jack Vine, from the Met’s Volume Crime Team in central London, who led the investigation, said:

“Hutchinson has been targeting Boots stores across Chelsea and Kensington, costing the business a total of £107,000 in lost revenue.

“We recognised the impact Hutchinson’s actions were having on the retailer, and through working with staff, we built a strong case of evidence against him, which has been reflected in his sentencing.

“This result should act as a warning that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated, and that we will come down hard on those who show a complete disregard for the law, terrorise retail workers and cost businesses thousands of pounds.”

Nicky Harrop, Head of Security, Fraud and Contract Management at Boots, said:

“We have been investing significantly in measures that will deter and disrupt criminal activity, stop theft, protect our team members, and support the police with high-quality evidence.

“Tackling the growing levels of retail crime is a collaborative effort, so we’re pleased to work alongside the Metropolitan Police to ensure our stores remain a safe and respectful environment for our team members and customers.”

Chief Inspector, Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for tackling retail crime, said:   

“The Met is coming down hard on shoplifters by putting more officers in local teams, increasing patrols and conducting intelligence-led, targeted operations to go after the most prolific offenders.

“Shoplifting is an injustice in our communities and causes fear and loss to retail workers and businesses, and we are more determined than ever to ensure we are gathering more evidence of multiple offences in order to get more convictions and stronger sentences for those responsible.

“This is another shining example of great work by Met officers to achieve this, and through their efforts, we’ve been able to remove another prolific shoplifter from our streets, utilising the power of Community Behaviour Orders to prevent him causing further misery in the local community.”

Town centres and hotspot areas across London continue to see an enhanced police presence as part of the Home Office’s Safer Summer Streets campaign running until the end of September, with a focus on reducing criminality and anti-social behaviour.  

This intensified action is part of ongoing work by the Met and Mayor of London to boost local neighbourhood teams, enhance partnership working and put high-visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding trust.  

Notes to editors  

The Metropolitan Police is prioritising resources and putting more officers on the beat in the busiest parts of London to focus on core policing priorities, protect the public, and tackle areas with high crime. Despite the Met getting smaller, it is applying more resources and smarter tactics to tackle the biggest priorities.  

Up to 80 more officers will join the dedicated West End team to bear down on crimes which Londoners care about the most – including anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, shoplifting and phone robbery – as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.  

Six town centre teams will also be expanded or newly created with 90 additional officers in areas with the highest volumes of thefts and robberies covering Brixton, Kingston, Ealing, Finsbury Park, Southwark, and Spitalfields. Read more here. 

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