A notorious shoplifter who embarked on a widespread stealing spree across England and Wales has been jailed for three years and four months.
Martin Collins, 28, from Lever Street in Rochdale, was arrested after committing a series of thefts at supermarkets from September to November, amounting to a staggering £15,000 in stolen goods.
The crime spree ended on 8 November when Collins was apprehended at Lakeside Retail Park in Scunthorpe. He was later sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on 6 December after admitting to 22 charges of shop theft at an earlier hearing.
Collins targeted numerous Morrisons stores across North Wales, including Bangor, Caernarfon, Rhyl, and Wrexham, as well as locations in the Midlands, North West, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. His largest theft occurred on 30 September at a store near Blackpool, where he stole nearly £1,500 worth of goods.
His arrest followed a tip-off regarding a man who was seen stealing numerous items at an Asda in Scunthorpe and hiding them in a bag. Upon investigation, officers linked Collins to a string of thefts committed nationwide between 30 September and 6 November.
Detective Sergeant Ian Potter, of Humberside Police’s Grimsby Criminal Investigation Department, commented: “Collins is a prolific criminal who caused significant disruption to both businesses and local communities. Shop theft is not a minor offence—it harms businesses, customers, and retail staff. We are committed to ensuring such crimes are met with justice, and we will continue to protect our communities from criminals like Collins.”
