A 40-year-old woman has been jailed and issued a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) that prohibits her from entering Birkenhead town centre and several major retail stores across Wirral. The order follows a conviction for a robbery that occurred at a TK Maxx store.
Samantha Bristow, of no fixed abode, received a 20-month prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, September 16. The accompanying CBO imposes strict conditions on her movement and behaviour upon her release, aiming to prevent further offences in the area.
Key Takeaways
- Samantha Bristow, 40, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for robbery.
- A three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was also issued.
- She is banned from entering Birkenhead town centre and specific retail chains in Wirral.
- The conviction stems from a theft and assault at a TK Maxx store in June.
- Police urge the public to report any breaches of the order.
Details of the Conviction and Sentencing
Liverpool Crown Court handed down the sentence to Samantha Bristow on Monday after she was convicted of robbery. The court proceedings concluded with a 20-month custodial sentence for her actions.
The conviction relates to an incident that took place on Sunday, June 16, at the TK Maxx store located on Grange Road in Birkenhead. According to reports, Bristow stole several handbags from the retailer.
During the incident, a member of the store's staff was pushed by Bristow. This element of force elevated the offence from theft to robbery, resulting in a more severe penalty from the court.
Understanding Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs)
A Criminal Behaviour Order is an order issued by a court following a conviction for any criminal offence. It is aimed at preventing individuals from engaging in further criminal or anti-social behaviour. Breaching a CBO is a criminal offence in itself and can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.
Strict Prohibitions Under the CBO
In addition to her prison sentence, Bristow is now subject to a comprehensive CBO that will remain in effect for three years. The order is designed to protect local businesses and the public from further disruption.
The conditions of the order are specific and cover both geographical areas and types of behaviour. Merseyside Police have stated that any violation of these terms will result in Bristow's immediate arrest and a potential return to prison.
Geographic and Retail Restrictions
One of the main conditions of the CBO is a complete ban from entering a designated area of Birkenhead town centre. Merseyside Police have released a map outlining the specific exclusion zone.
The order also prohibits Bristow from entering any store belonging to five major retail chains anywhere in the Wirral area. The specified stores are:
- Farmfoods
- TK Maxx
- Asda
- Primark
- Wyndsors Store
This measure is intended to protect these specific businesses, which may have been targeted previously, from further loss and to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
Behavioural Prohibitions
The CBO also includes conditions aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour. Bristow is explicitly prohibited from deliberately spitting onto any other person's property or any surface in any public place.
Furthermore, she is required to leave any shop or commercial premises in Wirral immediately if asked to do so by a member of staff. This condition grants business owners and employees the authority to remove her from their premises without needing to provide a reason beyond a simple request.
Impact of Retail Crime
According to the British Retail Consortium's 2024 Crime Survey, incidents of theft cost retailers £1.8 billion in 2022/23. Incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers also rose to 1,300 per day, highlighting the serious impact of offences like the one committed by Bristow.
Police Response and Community Impact
Merseyside Police have welcomed the court's decision, emphasizing the CBO as a vital tool in tackling repeat offenders and protecting the community.
Chief Inspector of Wirral Local Policing, David Morgan, commented on the outcome and the strategy behind using such orders.
"Criminal Behaviour Orders are extremely effective and should Bristow breach the conditions of this order upon her release from prison, then she will be arrested, returned to court and may be returned to jail."
He added that the order should provide reassurance to the local business community and the public, demonstrating that retail crime and anti-social behaviour are taken seriously.
"I hope this CBO is reassuring to not only staff and customers in our local shops in Birkenhead, but also the wider Merseyside as it shows how seriously we take retail crime and anti-social behaviour," Chief Inspector Morgan stated.
Public Urged to Report Breaches
Chief Inspector Morgan confirmed that the neighbourhood policing team will continue to pursue similar orders against individuals who cause harm in local communities. He also stressed the importance of public cooperation in enforcing the CBO.
Merseyside Police are actively encouraging residents and business owners to report any sightings of Bristow violating the terms of her order. Public vigilance is considered crucial for the CBO to be effective.
"I would actively encourage any members of the public who witness Bristow breaching her CBO or committing offences to report this to Merseyside Police," Morgan urged.
Anyone with information about a potential breach can contact Merseyside Police by calling 101 or reaching out to their social media desk @MerPolCC on X (formerly Twitter).
