Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘I was being a bit cheeky’: Police officer sacked after shoplifting from Sainsbury’s

‘I thought I would chance it,' constable told security after being stopped

Colin Drury
Thursday 12 November 2020 10:47 GMT
Comments
Sainsbury’s, Winterstoke Road, Bristol
Sainsbury’s, Winterstoke Road, Bristol (Google)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A police officer has been sacked and barred from the profession for life after being caught shoplifting £75 worth of food from a supermarket.

When the constable was stopped by security staff at the Sainsbury’s in Bristol, he told them: “I was being a bit cheeky and thought I would chance it".

The Avon and Somerset officer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was dismissed after being found guilty of gross misconduct at a behind-closed-doors hearing.

He had already received a conditional caution for theft.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh said he fired the constable, known only as PC S, because the incident "demonstrated that [he] is not trustworthy".

In a written notice detailing the hearing, which was made public on Wednesday, Mr Marsh added: “This criminal conduct which PC S has fully admitted brings discredit upon the police service and is so serious as to undermine public confidence in policing.

“This breach of professional standards, indeed criminal conduct is so serious that dismissal would be justified and for this reason I have found it to be gross misconduct.”

The officer, who had completed 23 months of his probationary period, had placed 71 items in his shopping bags totalling £120.18 but scanned only 38 of them, paying just £45.14.

He was stopped as he left the store in the city’s Winterstoke Road, and made to return inside.

In mitigation, PC S said he was suffering financial problems and anxiety at the time.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in