Callum Rowe, 28, of Curlew Road, Wyberton in Boston, appeared before officials at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (12 March) and was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison.
He had breached his order five times between the end of February and 11 March. Under the conditions of a CBO issued by on 7 November 2024, Rowe was prohibited from entering all retail premises in Boston except from Farm Foods Boston and Kirton Pharmacy and Spa Shop Wyberton.
This sentencing is part of a wider clamp down on anti-social behaviour in Boston. Over the last 12 months we have seen an increase of 23.39% of reported shop thefts, which is 167 offences. It’s important to note this is in part due shops being encouraged to report offences, increased confidence in the police to deal with reports, and an increase in shops utilising online reporting.
Boston Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) are using CBOs as part of a way to tackle ASB in the town. Emulating successful strategy in Lincoln, the Neighbourhood Team in Boston will seek to work with the offender in the first instance to address their behaviour via support, advice and relevant partner referrals. If that is rejected, then we look to take more robust action. By following up on CBO breaches, we removed three persistent offenders from the streets of Boston at the end of 2024 through them receiving custodial sentences. As a result, between November 2024 and February 2025, we saw close to a 50% reduction in the instances of recorded shop thefts, which is 109 versus 57 recorded incidents.
A CBO is a civil order designed to tackle the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals where their behaviour has brought them before a criminal court. The orders mean there are now enforceable rules on where they can and cannot go.
If a CBO is breached, this is a criminal offence, and a custodial sentence can be enforced. For the most serious offences, this can be up to five years.
Boston NPT Sgt Will Robson said: “We are committed to addressing persistent anti-social behaviour with the limited resource we have. Leveraging legislative tools, such as issuing CBOs, forms part of a wider crime prevention strategy. Individuals who receive CBOs are closely monitored, offered support, advice, and relevant partner referrals, but any further offences in our shops are swiftly dealt with.
“This behaviour has no place in our town, and we will do everything in our power to make sure we foster a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who lives, works, or visits here.”
