Serial shoplifter banned from all local supermarkets until 2026

Tanya Tidswell's case came before a local court in a British town on the Fylde coast due to her problematic behaviour. Beyond the store visitation ban, Tidswell also faces a suspended sentence of three months' imprisonment for a year if she violates the court's conditions.

According to the local news outlet Lanclive, Tidswell has been labelled a "serial thief" due to her repeated offences. She indiscriminately stole from a wide array of stores, including Lidl, B&M, Bispham, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Aldi, Sainsbury's, and others across Blackpool, Cleveleys, and Poulton Le Fylde.

Lanclive has published a detailed list of stores Tidswell is banned from and her photo, making her face well-known in the area to ensure the ban's enforcement.

The Lancashire police urge the public to report sightings of Tidswell in any of the banned stores by calling the emergency number 101 or reporting online, emphasizing community responsibility.

This practice of publicizing photos of prolific thieves is not uncommon in the UK and is a court-sanctioned measure aimed at curbing thefts. Recently, thefts have become so rampant and damaging that retail chains, like Tesco in Bristol, have taken additional security measures. For instance, during times of lighter traffic and reduced security presence, Tesco allows only selected customers entry, as determined by a security guard after a CCTV review.

As "The Sun" reports, this measure reflects the dire situation, with staff lamenting the boldness of thieves who openly steal and mock store security. Tesco staff also expressed concerns about personal safety when confronting shoplifters. A Tesco spokesperson revealed that the chain plans to install remotely controlled door access systems to mitigate risks of assault or theft, which is part of significant investments in security improvements, including body cameras, protective screens, and digital radios.