Serial shoplifter banned from stores across Kent following theft spree

A prolific shoplifter who stole hundreds of pounds’ worth of alcohol and other goods has been handed a two‑year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following a sustained pattern of offending.

Shannon Rossiter was charged with five counts of theft committed over a two‑month period. She entered multiple stores, filled baskets up with products and walked straight out without making an attempt to pay.

On 14 October 2025, at around 8pm, Rossiter entered the Co‑op in Sturry, selecting various cleaning products and cans of alcohol before placing them into a basket. A staff member, suspicious of her behaviour, watched as she headed toward the exit without attempting to pay. The doors were closed to prevent her leaving, but when staff tried to recover the items, Rossiter became violent and assaulted two employees before fleeing. The store suffered a loss of £88.

This formed just one of numerous incidents across Canterbury and Whitstable in late 2025.

A month earlier, on 15 September, she stole four sandwiches worth £13 from Tesco in Sturry. On 2 November, she took alcoholic drinks worth £11.80 from the Co‑op in Whitstable, then returned the next day and stole more food and drink worth £15.35.

Just over a month after the violent incident caught on CCTV, on 16 November, she stole four gift sets valued at £222 from Boots in Canterbury. Officers found her shortly after in a Waitrose car park, recovering one gift set from her and three hidden nearby. She was arrested at the scene.

Following her arrest on November 16, officers launched a full investigation and discovered she was wanted in connection with multiple thefts across Canterbury. She was remanded in custody and appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on 18 November 2025, where she pleaded guilty to all charges.

Rossiter later appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 2 April 2026, where she was issued with a two‑year Criminal Behaviour Order.

The conditions of the CBO prohibit her from entering any shop owned, run or managed by Co‑Operative Retail Services Ltd within Kent for the next two years. She is also banned from entering any retail premises in the company of several named individuals.

Canterbury Inspector Daniel Fordom said:

‘Whilst Rossiter did not receive a custodial sentence, the detailed accounts provided by staff and the evidence gathered by officers were crucial in securing this long-term CBO. ‘It sends a clear message that sustained and violent shoplifting will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work closely with retailers and the court system to secure more orders like this one.’