Christchurch, Crime, Poole | Posted on January 5th, 2026 | return to news

Prolific shoplifter jailed following thefts in Christchurch and Poole

The man was charged with 14 offences of stealing items from Boots in Poole and Christchurch and Bookends in Christchurch.

A 31-year-old man who repeatedly stole from stores in Poole and Christchurch has been jailed for 32 weeks. He was identified by Dorset Police’s new digital theft system and evidence platform.

Between Friday 6 June 2025 and Thursday 20 November 2025, it was reported that a man entered the Boots store in Saxon Square in Christchurch on 10 occasions, stealing items totalling a value of over £6,500.

It was further reported that on two occasions on Thursday 2 October and Friday 3 October 2025, the same man entered the Boots store in Redlands in Poole and stole over £1,200-worth of items, before entering the Bookends store in Christchurch on Thursday 23 October 2025 where he also stole £350-worth of products.

Through the new digital theft pack system, NiCE Investigate – in which retailers submit their CCTV footage, witness statements and theft reports – an investigation was launched, and Jason Christopher Evans was identified by investigators within the dedicated Dorset Police Retail Crime Team as the perpetrator.

Following further enquiries made collaboratively with the Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT), it was found that Evans was also wanted on recall to prison. He was arrested on Tuesday 2 December 2025 and subsequently charged with 14 shoplifting offences.

He appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 3 December 2025 for sentencing.

Sergeant Ryan Corbett, of Dorset Police, said: “This case demonstrates how technology and partnership are transforming retail crime investigation. The NiCE evidence platform and digital theft packs drastically cut processing times, getting vital information from retailers to officers in hours rather than days. This method of reporting retail crime digitally provides both ease and timely justice for our victims, and so we would urge all retailers to sign up to this new initiative as soon as possible using the link below.

“Thanks to due diligence from the retailers who provided us with the necessary evidence, we were able to identify Evans as being responsible for these offences and bring him before the courts to be held accountable for his actions.

“We are committed to targeting offenders such as Evans and we fully recognise the impact shoplifting offences have on businesses in our communities.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I am pleased to hear the news that this prolific offender has been jailed. This sentence is a clear warning to anyone who targets our shops and communities.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime – it hits hardworking shop staff, threatens livelihoods, and undermines safety and confidence not just in our town centres, but at every essential corner shop, department store and retail outlet. I welcome the court’s decision, which recognises the sustained harm this offender caused across Christchurch and Poole.

“Since I came into office, I have been committed to improving crime reporting for Dorset businesses; that is why I established the Dorset Safer Business Partnership (DSBP). This case highlights how improvements made with the support of the DSBP, such as the implementation of the force’s new evidence platform, NiCE, are having a real impact on how retail crime is tackled in Dorset. Our communities deserve to feel safe, and I will continue to support Dorset Police and partners in taking decisive action against those who persistently break the law.”

To find out more and register on NiCE Investigate, visit www.dorset.police.uk/police-forces/dorset-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/nice-investigate/.

Anyone who suspects shoplifting or suspicious activity is taking place in their community can report it to either Crimestoppers anonymously or police. You can report this to Dorset Police online via the website. You can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website at crimestoppers-uk.org.