A serial thief has been nicknamed 'Hamster' by staff at a Greggs bakery after stealing almost £2,000 worth of food from the same shop in a spree of 38 separate incidents. The unusual moniker was given to Adam Gosling, 39, who targeted a branch of the popular bakery chain in Greenford, west London, over a six-week period.
Theft Spree Details
Gosling's thefts occurred between December 30, 2025, and February 10, 2026, with the total value of stolen goods reaching approximately £2,000. The repeated nature of the crimes at the same location led staff to notice the pattern and eventually coin the nickname 'Hamster', likely referring to the suspect's habit of hoarding food items similar to the small rodent's behavior.
Location and Method
The crimes took place at a Greggs outlet in Greenford, an area in the London Borough of Ealing. While specific details about the exact items stolen weren't disclosed, Greggs is renowned for its sausage rolls, pasties, sandwiches, and various baked goods that would have been targeted during these thefts. The frequency of the incidents – 38 times in just over six weeks – suggests the thief was visiting the establishment nearly every other day on average.
Police Investigation and Public Awareness
Local authorities have been investigating the series of thefts, which represent a significant loss for the business. The case highlights ongoing challenges retailers face with repeat offenders, particularly in urban areas where quick-service food establishments are common targets. The nickname 'Hamster' given by staff demonstrates how frontline workers develop their own methods of identifying and describing regular offenders.
This incident serves as a reminder of the financial impact that repeated theft can have on businesses, even those part of large chains like Greggs. The bakery chain, with over 2,000 locations across the UK, has become an iconic part of British high streets and is particularly vulnerable to such crimes due to its self-service model and high-volume customer traffic.
While the case may seem unusual due to the specific nickname and the targeted nature of the crimes, it reflects broader issues around retail theft that have been increasing in recent years across various sectors. The psychological aspect of staff developing nicknames for regular offenders speaks to the personal impact such crimes have on employees who must deal with the consequences daily.
