A prolific shoplifter has become the first offender in West Sussex to be fitted with an electronic tag to prevent further offending. Daryl Hunt, aged 30, has also been banned from entering all Co-op stores in West Sussex.
It follows his latest crime spree, where he admitted 13 shoplifting offences at Co-op stores in Worthing. Hunt, of no fixed address, appeared before Worthing Magistrates’ Court last week. It followed the offences which took place between November last year and March this year at the Co-op in South Street, Tarring.
Stolen items and sentence
Hunt had stolen cheeses, protein bars, washing powder, chocolate, burgers, sea bass and other items. He received a six-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete six months of mental health treatment and 30 rehabilitation activity sessions.
The court also imposed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order that bans him from entering Co-op stores. The order has ordered Hunt to wear a Buddi tag, which provides GPS monitoring of his movements to prevent reoffending.
Operation Stop pilot
He has become the first convicted offender in West Sussex to be fitted with the tag on 19 August following a successful pilot of the tags in East Sussex. Under the Operation Stop pilot, repeat shoplifting offenders are issued with Buddi tags – discreet GPS ankle devices – as part of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
These tags allow police to monitor offenders’ movements in real time, helping to deter further offences, encouraging positive behavioural change, and enabling swift action if breaches or tampering occur.
Police comment
Inspector Chris Bryant said: “We understand the impact shoplifting has on businesses and the wider community.
“Buddi tags are another tool at our disposal to support businesses and to ensure that prolific offenders are effectively monitored.
“In Sussex, we are leading the way with this innovative scheme to tackle repeat offenders, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to protect our business community.”
