Prolific Shoplifter Jailed After £2,000 Crime Spree Across Worthing and Arun

A serial shoplifter responsible for a fortnight-long crime spree across Worthing and Arun has been jailed once again after admitting to dozens of offences, including breaching a court order and carrying a knife.

Joanne Cook, 36, of Clarendon Road in Broadwater, stole nearly £2,000 worth of goods between 2 and 15 April this year, targeting a string of local retailers in a brazen spree that saw her repeatedly flout a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Items stolen included alcohol, meat, cosmetics, and household cleaning products from a wide network of stores — among them multiple Co-Op branches in South Street, Cricketers Parade, Tarring Road, Field Place Parade, New Broadway, and Goring Road in Worthing. Other victims included Sainsbury’s at Lyons Farm, Paydens Pharmacy in Broadwater Boulevard, Boots in Rustington, One Stop in East Preston, and Tesco in Sterling Parade, Rustington.

Cook was arrested and charged with 14 counts of shoplifting, 12 breaches of her Criminal Behaviour Order, and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place. She pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 34 weeks in prison at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday 22 July.

Police credited early reporting from businesses and cooperation from local retailers as instrumental in bringing Cook to justice.

Emily Baker of Worthing Investigations said: “Our team has worked hard to secure this conviction, and this case reinforces our message that shoplifting — at any level — is taken seriously.

“Despite previous convictions and court orders, Cook continued to offend, creating significant disruption for retailers across the area. This sentence reflects the persistent nature of her offending.”

The investigation serves as a reminder of Sussex Police’s continuing partnership with the local business community to clamp down on retail crime. Officers are encouraging all shopkeepers and business owners to report incidents promptly to help build strong evidence files and enable swift enforcement action.

Cook, who has an extensive history of offending, is now serving her sentence — a development welcomed by those affected by her latest crime wave.

Police say her case underscores the importance of Criminal Behaviour Orders as a tool to protect communities from repeat offenders — and the consequences for those who repeatedly ignore them.