A pair of persistent shoplifters have been banned from all shops in Blackburn town centre.

Jodie Shea, 33, and Anthony Eden, 41, have both been banned from entering shops in Blackburn town centre following a spate of shoplifting offences.

Shea, of no fixed abode, was served with the order on Monday, November 22, for several offences, including shoplifting and assault, prohibiting her from entering Blackburn town centre for two years. She is also serving 52 weeks in prison.

Eden, of Burnley Road, Colne, was served with the order on October 15 for shoplifting offences, prohibiting him from entering retail outlets within Blackburn town centre, as well as the Nova Scotia retail park.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We know that shoplifting in Blackburn can cause immense distress to local businesses and residents.

“Given the hardships all businesses have faced over the past 18 months, we’re passionate about targeting those who are intent on committing this kind of criminality.

“We will continue to work with partners to help to support those who have issues that are leading them to offend, but we will not hesitate to take positive action against those who carry on offending and will bring similar CBO applications in future to help protect our communities.”