A 28-year-old Swindon man, Jamie Loveridge, who was already serving a suspended sentence for previous crimes, has pleaded guilty to seven additional offences following his arrest as part of Operation Dasher patrols.
Loveridge, who was arrested on November 28 after a significant foot chase by officers, pleaded guilty to the offences at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on November 30. He has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced on December 16.
The majority of Loveridge’s crimes took place in Swindon’s Old Town, where he stole alcohol on three separate occasions from the Co-Op between November 25 and November 27. During one of the thefts, Loveridge used one of the stolen bottles to threaten a member of staff who tried to stop him.
He was also found responsible for stealing a roll cage full of Christmas stock, valued at £8,000, from Boots on November 11, as well as burgling a £1,400 bicycle from Brunel West Car Park on November 19.
PC Bezzant from the Swindon South Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Loveridge had recently been subject to a suspended sentence for similar offences. This intervention has prevented any further criminal activity. We are now seeking a Criminal Behaviour Order to ensure police oversight upon his release and to address his substance abuse issues.”
The arrest was made possible thanks to the collaboration between Swindon Borough Council CCTV operators and local police. The officers’ efforts in securing Loveridge’s capture are part of the broader Operation Dasher initiative, which is aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour during the busy Christmas period.
Operation Dasher includes high visibility patrols across the town, working alongside the Community Street Wardens, local CCTV operators, and store security teams to provide reassurance to both the public and businesses.
