A PROLIFIC shoplifter from Barnsley who was handed a suspended prison sentence having committed more than a dozen thefts at a supermarket has been re-sentenced.

Tyler Spurr, of Rufford Road, Athersley North, went on a shoplifting spree in May and stole items including chocolate, soft drinks, meat and other food items totalling £827.90 from her local Co-op branch.

Comprehensive CCTV work identified Spurr in the act of committing these offences and officers quickly obtained a warrant for her arrest.

However, the 22-year-old - who was given an eight-week suspended sentence and ordered to complete rehabilitation activities - was re-sentenced at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court having breached the order.

She failed to attend appointments as set out in her community order on August 8 and September 15 and did not provide an acceptable reason.

Spurr admitted the breach and was given a 20-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, while her two-year banning order from the Co-op was retained.

PC Deanne Cooper, from the Barnsley Safer Neighbourhood Service, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime like many of us may think.

“No shop worker should go to work and be expected to deal with shoplifters.

“Spurr’s repeat offending clearly shows that she has no regard for her actions and would have continued to offend if she was not caught.”

When officers entered her property, officers found Spurr attempting to hide behind her fridge but she pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft thereafter.

She became the second renowned thief to have been sentenced in relation to thefts from the branch, after 42-year-old Daniel Firth was jailed for 24 weeks last month having committed 23 thefts over a two-month period.

Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, called on MPs to better protect businesses and employees from thieves.

He added: “We are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products in our shops every day and, if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous.

“Crime is an occupation for some - it is not petty crime and it is not victimless./

“It is imperative MPs don’t turn their backs on shopworkers.

“A collaborative approach between the retail industry, the police and the government will send out a loud and clear message to all those who commit brazen and violent acts of theft that time is now up on their criminal ways.”/

Shoplifting has soared to record levels, with a staggering 70 per cent increase in their last two years in office alone.

The latest statistics show a ten per cent rise in shoplifting in South Yorkshire, with a 20 per cent rise nationally.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “High streets and town centres are the very heart of our communities.

“Residents and businesses have the right to feel safe in their towns. But the last government left a surge in shop theft, street crime and antisocial behaviour which has left too many town centres feeling abandoned.

“It’s time to turn this round - that’s why I have called on police forces and councils to work together to deliver a blitz on crime, to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished.

“We are putting officers back on the beat where you can see them.”