A tattooed shoplifter from Birmingham has admitted to 91 thefts after flouting a court order banning her from entering Solihull. Connie Parsons, 33, of Coventry Road, Birmingham, was arrested last week and charged with dozens of shop theft offences and breaches of a criminal behaviour order (CBO). She has shown what police described as a ‘consistent disregard for the law’.
A flagrant disregard for the law
Parsons, who has a distinctive ‘Kev’ tattoo above her right eye, targeted shops in Solihull and repeatedly stole from Sainsbury’s on the Stratford Road in Shirley. Last year, she was handed a CBO banning her from entering the whole of Solihull for five years after being branded a ‘blight on the community’. Despite this, she continued her thieving spree.
Repeated targeting of Shirley supermarket
Over the course of July alone, Parsons pleaded guilty to 31 offences committed across Shirley and Solihull. She was due to be sentenced for a total of 91 offences, reflecting a sustained campaign of theft. Police confirmed she repeatedly targeted the same Sainsbury’s store, even when confronted attempting to escape.
Sgt Kev Vince, from the Shirley neighbourhood team, said: “Parsons has shown a consistent disregard for the law and her CBO. She has targeted the same store countless times and even when confronted has still attempted to get away with her crimes. We’ll always do everything in our power to find, arrest and put those responsible for making the lives of shop workers and businesses a misery. I want to encourage stores to continue reporting incidents like this to us – without your help we can’t target those responsible and prosecute them.”
Police crackdown on repeat offending
West Midlands Police emphasised their commitment to tackling shoplifting as part of the Safer Towns Summer initiative. A spokesman said: “As part of Safer Towns Summer we are working hard with our partners to make our town centre and shopping spaces as safe and welcoming as possible, for everyone. There will be visible reassurance patrols and enforcement activity in hotspot areas, and local officers are on hand as ever to listen to any concerns you may have. No matter how big or small your issue may be, we are here for you. You can report crime by calling 101 or by using Live Chat on our website.”
The case highlights the persistent problem of repeat offending and the challenges of enforcing court orders. Parsons’ 91 thefts represent a significant drain on local businesses and a strain on police resources. Her arrest and guilty plea are seen as a step towards justice for the affected stores and workers.
