Prolific Shoplifter Banned from Entering Ealing Retail Premises

Police obtain a court order against Gurpreet Singh

Gurpreet Singh. Picture: Met Police

A prolific shoplifter who repeatedly targeted retailers in Ealing has been handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order after police linked him to a series of thefts and the handling of stolen goods across the borough.

The order against Gurpreet Singh was granted following his guilty plea at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 23 February, marking the latest step in a pattern of enforcement action aimed at persistent offenders.

Singh came to police attention after staff at a retail store in Ealing detained him and another man on 23 October last year. The pair had filled bags with high-value items and attempted to leave without paying. Officers arrested both men at the scene, and a search uncovered bank cards, Oyster cards and identification documents belonging to other people.

Further investigation revealed that Singh had been involved in multiple thefts from the same retailer over a two-week period, causing what police described as “significant financial losses”. Detectives from the Violence and Casework Team built a case showing a clear pattern of repeat offending, leading to charges of shoplifting and handling stolen goods.

Singh pleaded guilty and received a financial penalty alongside a concurrent custodial sentence. Police then applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order, arguing that additional restrictions were necessary to prevent further offending.

The CBO, which runs until February 2031, places strict limits on Singh’s behaviour. He is banned from associating in public with individuals linked to ongoing criminal activity, entering any retail premises from which he has been formally banned, remaining inside a business once asked to leave, or entering private or staff-only areas without permission. He is also prohibited from carrying property that clearly belongs to someone else without proof of ownership, and from possessing tools commonly used in theft, such as foil-lined bags or tag-removal devices.

Police say the order is designed to protect local businesses and reduce the risk of further offences. Officers continue to work with retailers across the borough to identify persistent offenders and respond quickly to shoplifting, which has risen nationally in recent years.

The West Area Command Unit says it will continue to target repeat shoplifters and those involved in handling stolen goods, working closely with store security teams and using powers such as CBOs to curb persistent offending. Officers are encouraging residents and businesses to report suspicious activity via 101, or 999 in emergencies.