A prolific shoplifter who sometimes visited the same store three times in a day has been jailed for 18 weeks.

Officers were informed by staff at a store in Blackpool that they were being targeted by an individual, sometimes visiting several times a day.

During an operation, officers arrested a man after he was seen shoplifting food items and running out of the store. The man had 12 outstanding offences against him, all from the same store. He was charged and remanded for all 12 offences.

Kenneth McEwan, 43, has since been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

Chief Inspector John Jennings-Wharton said: “This is a great result which I am confident will put this local store at ease.

“Shoplifting can not only impact business bottom lines but can also pose a threat to shop staff.

“We will continue to work with local business to stamp out shoplifting in our communities.”