A prolific shoplifter has been barred from entering a string of Swindon stores after admitting multiple thefts, as officers continue their seasonal Op Dasher crackdown across the town.
David Mundy, 36, of Farndale Close in Penhill, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to several counts of shoplifting. The court handed him a suspended prison sentence and imposed a number of conditions designed to address the root causes of his offending, including alcohol abstinence, drug rehabilitation and structured activity days as part of a community order.
In addition, Mundy was issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order preventing him from entering any Co-Op or Tesco store in Swindon — retailers he has repeatedly targeted.
Swindon Neighbourhood Inspector Lawrence Copeland said the sentence sends a clear message to anyone considering similar crimes.
“We recognise the significant impact that shoplifting has on local businesses and shoppers,” he said. “We are determined to make Swindon a hostile place for shoplifters. Mundy is a prolific offender and the CBO bans him from several of his most targeted locations.”
Inspector Copeland added that enforcement is only part of the approach, with efforts also focused on rehabilitation.
“He is subject to a range of requirements which involve local partners and charities. These measures aim to support individuals to break the cycle of offending. We encourage the public to keep reporting incidents — we will continue to take action.”
Op Dasher, Wiltshire Police’s annual operation to reduce theft and town-centre offending during the busy Christmas period, remains active across Swindon.
