LONDON, UK — A prolific shoplifter who stole an estimated £16,000 worth of taps and goods from B&Q stores across southern England has been jailed for three years.
Daniel Cleveland, 33, from Bromley, South London, worked with an accomplice to carry out a series of thefts targeting B&Q stores across London, Kent, Hampshire, Essex, and Buckinghamshire.
Cleveland and his partner struck 11 times over a 13-month period, often stealing items from store garden centres and tossing them over fences to be loaded into a getaway car with false plates.
Police arrested Cleveland at his home on April 30, 2025. He later pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft and three counts of attempted theft at Lewes Crown Court on August 19, and was sentenced on September 25.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Metropolitan Police’s lead for retail crime, said the case demonstrates the force’s commitment to tackling persistent offenders and improving neighbourhood safety.
“We work with businesses to target the most prolific offenders, as we know the fear they cause retail workers and the negative impact their offending has on communities,” Pathania said.
B&Q Security Manager Simon Moss praised the collaboration between the retailer and police, calling the conviction “a clear message” to criminals targeting stores.
Enquiries are ongoing to locate Cleveland’s accomplice, who remains at large.
