Britain’s most prolific feminine shoplifter racks up 171st conviction
Britain’s most prolific female shoplifter who disguises herself using hats has racked up her 171st conviction.
Tanya Liddle, dubbed a ‘one woman crimewave’, has plagued shopkeepers in the North East for decades and has been arrested nearly 400 times.
The 43-year-old, of Newcastle, has totted up a staggering 171 convictions, including 150 for shoplifting.
She is so notorious among shopkeepers that she uses an array of hats to disguise herself while scouring shops for items to snatch.
CCTV shows the shameless crook wearing a large floppy hat while stealing £1,500 worth of designer bags from TX Maxx on April 24.
Britain’s most prolific female shoplifter Tanya Liddle, pictured, has racked up her 171st conviction
Footage of Liddle using a hat and sunglasses as disguise in one of her shoplifting ploys
Footage shows her carrying bags on her arms as she casually walks out of the store on the Westmorland Retail Park in Cramlington, Northumberland.
Liddle has now been banned from all shops in the North East except a pharmacy, a supermarket and a clothes store.
Northumbria Police successfully applied for a civil injunction against Liddle at a hearing at Newcastle Civil Court last Thursday.
The force says it is the strictest order they have ever issued against a repeat offender.
If Liddle breaks the terms of the order she faces prison.
Inspector Patrick Hannon said: ‘We are pleased to have secured this order, which is thanks to the excellent and tireless work of our officers.
‘Liddle has consistently targeted retailers for a number of years and exhausted every opportunity given to her to change her ways.
‘With that in mind, we feel that this is the best way to manage her offending.
The 43-year-old, of Newcastle, is so notorious among shopkeepers that she uses floppy hats to disguise herself as she scours items to steal
‘The severity of this order demonstrates the seriousness of her criminality and the significant impact it has had on the retail community within the region, which is something we will simply not accept.
‘I hope this ruling sends a clear message to other shoplifters that your behaviour will not be tolerated and you will be brought to justice.
‘I’d like to reassure the public that should we find Liddle to be in a premises she shouldn’t be, we will not hesitate to take action and get her arrested.
‘We hope that this news offers reassurance to the wider community and, as a Force, we will continue to do everything in our power to act on concerns reported and bring effective justice against prolific offenders.’
