Shoplifters jailed in South Wales Police festive crackdown

South Wales Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams have secured multiple convictions for theft offences committed during the Christmas period, with two men now behind bars.

Gareth Bevan, 43, from Bridgend, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Monday (December 29) where he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop. The offences occurred on December 27 and 28 in Bridgend town centre. Following his guilty pleas, Bevan was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison.

In a separate case, Stephen Gregory, 49, from Cardiff, also appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Monday after being investigated by Cardiff Bay NPT and arrested by Roath NPT. Gregory was convicted of theft from a motor vehicle and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, relating to an incident on December 9, 2025. He pleaded guilty and received a 10-week prison sentence.

Meanwhile, Wayne Thomas, 49, from Swansea, is scheduled to appear at Swansea Magistrates Court on January 23 following an investigation by Morriston & Eastside NPT. He faces six counts of theft from a shop and one count of attempted theft from a shop, covering incidents that occurred between July and December 2025.

Chief Inspector Anthony Williams said: “This kind of activity is happening right across the South Wales Police force area day in and day out as part of our Winter of Action. Each area has a local Neighbourhood Policing Team who are working extremely hard, alongside local authorities and partners, to keep our communities safe.”