A man has been jailed for almost two years following a series of thefts in Colchester. 

Daniel Archer, 38, has been charged with 15 thefts or attempted thefts from shops and breached an existing Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). 

The thefts took place between August and October at the Co-op store in Hawthorne Avenue. 

Archer, of no fixed address, was made subject to a CBO in March 2023, which banned him from going into the same store. 

PC Michael Lee, from the Essex Police Business Crime Team, said: “We know the impact prolific shoplifters like Daniel Archer have on the businesses they target. 

“It can lead to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds worth of losses, and in some cases may be the difference between a business continuing or not. 

“We are committed to tackling those who think they can steal with impunity from the hardworking businesses or shops across Essex. 

“This year alone we’ve made more than 1,500 shoplifting arrests and secured 2,500 charges. 

“Our message is clear – Essex is open for business, but closed for crime.” 

Archer was convicted of the charges against him and sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on November 25 to a year and 10 months in prison.