A prolific Hull shoplifter has been jailed for 18 weeks – just three days after being released from prison for previous offences of shop theft.

Greg Gibson, 31, of Nornabell Street, Hull, admitted stealing items valued in excess of £360 from an East Hull shop and possession of Heroin.

PC Darren Kirkwood, the Community Beat manager for the Drypool area said: “Gibson is a prolific offender who has a lengthy history of stealing from shops to feed his drug habit.

“On his release from his previous sentence he went straight back to his old habits and we were able to quickly arrest him and put him back before the courts.

“We have warned those who think it’s acceptable to deal from businesses in our area that we won’t tolerate it – and that if you ignore that warning you’re likely to find yourself before the courts.

“We want to continue to support our local retailers and business owners in ensuring that they and their customers have a safe and enjoyable shopping experience.

“We are also aware that Gibson, like the majority of those who steal from shops to feed a drug habit, is also vulnerable, with complex lifestyles.

“Whenever a suspect comes into our custody for theft offences, they are automatically given a drug test.

“If someone tests positive, they are required to have a mandatory assessment with a drug worker and, if they refuse, they are charged with a further offence.

“While the programme doesn’t work for everyone, it is proven to significantly reduce offending – even with those who don’t give up drugs entirely.

“Because of the nature of addiction, the programme works really well for about half of those who go through it, reducing their offending by about 80 per cent.

“The other half will continue offending, so what we do here is manage their offending. The worst ones, who won’t engage, become IOM subjects or end up in prison.”

If you have concerns or information about drug-related crime in your area, call the non-emergency 101 line or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.