Tough action taken against man caught shop-lifting
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
A man has been issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order for shop-lifting in Castleford - after joint action was taken by Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police.
Sean Whipp, aged 44, of no fixed address was given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order and a 25-week suspended prison sentence at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 2 June 2025.
“Everyone should feel safe in their local community. We won’t tolerate behaviour that has a negative impact on our communities, so we’re pleased that the Court has sent a strong message by granting this Criminal Behaviour Order.
“Enforcement like this is just one part of our approach, working with local partners, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. We’ve recently launched the Wakefield City Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force. We’re reviewing the powers available to tackle aggressive begging, substance misuse, and anti-social gatherings. And we’re deploying more enforcement officers on our streets so that people feel safer.
“We’ll continue to use the full extent of the law when we need to. Building on our track record in 2024-25 where we successfully applied for 32 criminal behaviour orders. Had four Public Spaces Protection Orders in place. And issued 164 fixed penalty notices for anti-social and nuisance behaviour.”
Cllr Daniel Wilton
Cabinet Member for Communities
The Criminal Behaviour Order prevents Mr Whipp from entering the following premises - Sainsburys Store, 30 Smawthorne Lane, Castleford, Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre, Castleford and Lidl Store, Park Road, Castleford.
He must also not enter any retail premises where he is already banned or excluded from in the Wakefield District.
The CBO remains in force until midnight 1 June 2027. Breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order is an offence and could result in a prison sentence.
Inspector Glen Costello, of the Wakefield East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We understand the concern that prolific shoplifters cause in the retail sector, both financially and in terms of staff safety. We are committed to working with retailers to support them in preventing offences and, where offences do occur, will continue to work with Wakefield Council to put orders such as these in place to deter further offending.
“The conditions of both the suspended prison sentence and the Criminal Behaviour Order mean that if Sean Whipp is involved in further offending, then he will be looking at a jail term.
“Anyone who is seen to be breaching the terms of a Criminal Behaviour Order can be reported to police via the Live Chat facility on our website or by calling 101.”
The Council and West Yorkshire Police have recently joined with partners to launch the Wakefield City Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force.
In addition to an increase in neighbourhood police patrols, two extra enforcement officers have also been successfully funded, and extra patrols have already started. This additional presence on the streets will help to respond to issues and make people feel safer.
Plans are also in place to review Public Space Protection Orders. So that more powers can be available to tackle aggressive begging, substance misuse and anti-social gatherings.