Prolific shoplifter jailed and banned from the City of London

A professional thief has been banned from entering the City of London for five years, after being handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) at City of London Magistrates’ Court.

Oyas Ali, 53, of Barnet Grove, has also been sentenced to 14 weeks in jail for five counts of theft.

Between May and June this year, he persistently targeted Boots on Moorgate, stealing over £1,600 worth of items.

The prolific thief already has 25 convictions, with offences dating back to 2007.

Inspector Dan Green, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime team at the City of London Police, said:

“This is another great result in banning a prolific thief from coming into the City and a reminder to criminals that we will bring them to justice.

“We will use all our resources in keeping businesses and members of the public safe. Oyas Ali had committed these offences and anti-social behaviour, with no thought or consideration to anybody he had come across.

“This CBO will act as a deterrent to reoffending. If Ali breaches his CBO, he could face further jail time.”

The Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team focuses on crimes such as theft of bags, phone snatches and shoplifting.

The dedicated team is successfully bringing criminals to justice who prey on those out in the City and proactive arrests are disrupting those involved in serious organised crime.