A SHOPLIFTER has been banned from every Co-Operative store in the county.

Christopher Downes, a man who police say has an “extensive history of shoplifting”, has been handed a criminal behaviour order.

As a result of this order, the 59-year-old is now unable to go into any of the Co-Op’s Cheshire shops for the next two years.

Sergeant Matthew Bassirat, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said: "Christopher Downes has been causing problems within this town through shoplifting for over two decades.

"I hope the granting of this CBO can provide some reassurance to residents and businesses in the area and will deter Downes' behaviour in the future.

"If he fails to comply with the conditions, he could face time in prison.

“This should serve as a reminder that we will do all we can to crack down on those who insist to commit crime and cause issues in our communities.”

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Downes, of Bollington Road, Bollington, was handed the CBO at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (August 7).

The order, which was applied for by Macclesfield South Beat Management, means he is banned from entering any Co-Operative store in Cheshire.

He is also not allowed to go into Macclesfield town centre.

Downes will only be allowed to do so to attend pre-arranged appointments at Macclesfield Police Station or the doctors surgery on Sunderland Street.

Northwich Guardian: A map of the area Downes is restricted from enteringA map of the area Downes is restricted from entering (Image: Cheshire Police)

Any breach of this order could see Downes hit with a prison sentence.

Cheshire Police has asked anyone who encounters Cooke breaching any of the above restrictions to get in touch at cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ or by calling 101.