TWO prolific thieves have been found guilty after offences from shops across Southend.

In the last two days, two prolific offenders in the Southend have been captured by Southend town centre team officers under Operation Raker.

Daniel Steward, of no fixed abode, was arrested following a foot chase through Warrior Square.

He was subsequently charged with three offences of theft from Co-op in Leigh Road, Tesco, in Southchurch Road and Matalan, Greyhound Trading Estate.

Steward was remanded to court on February 7, where he appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court.

He pleaded Guilty to these offences. Steward was issued a compensation order and re-called to prison to continue serving a previous sentence.

Joe Linnen, of Hastings Road, Southend, was also arrested and charged with theft offences from Iceland, in York Road, and The Fragrance Shop, at The Royals Shopping Centre.

He was remanded to attend court on February 8, where he pleaded guilty. He was issued with a compensation order.

An application was made to vary a Criminal Behaviour Order to incorporate these new offences, but this was declined.

Meanwhile, Essex Police say, Mr Linnen remains subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order that prevents him from entering the following venues in Southend: Tesco, in Royal Terrace, HMV, in High Street, Co-Op, in Hamlet Court Road, Marks and Spencer, High Street, and Sainsburys, in London Road.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Operation Raker will continue to target persistent offenders in Southend.

“If your business is being affected by repeat offenders, please be sure to report the incidents to Essex Police online, call 101 or reach out to the Op Raker officers.”