Shoplifter caught through new crime reduction partnership faces sentence

A prolific shoplifter has been brought to justice thanks to a new business crime reduction partnership being piloted in Torbay which is soon to be rolled out to more areas in Devon and Cornwall.

Scott Whatley, 35, of Smythen Street, Exeter, targeted a single store in Torquay, committing 10 thefts totalling almost £400.  

And thanks to UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), which is being funded for a year in Torbay by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, a case linking all 10 offences was built by analysts and passed to Devon & Cornwall Police.  

Whatley was arrested and charged with 10 counts of shop theft and appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court last week [July 16, 2025]. He pleaded guilty to all charges and is due to be sentenced on September 16.  

Commissioner Hernandez said this was a ‘fantastic’ result which highlighted the benefits of the UKPAC system for businesses that are sick of retail crime, and she was delighted to soon be able to offer the free pilot to more areas. 

She said: “Shoplifting and business crime in general is a scourge on our high streets. Traders are the lifeblood of our town and city centres and must be supported in making a living in increasingly difficult times.  

“It is fantastic that this repeat offender has been brought to justice and this case will give the people of Torbay confidence that shoplifters can and will pay the price for their actions. 

“Crimes like these have a negative effect on livelihoods, wellbeing and the health of our economy. I am committed to making it as difficult as possible for shoplifters to operate, which is why I have funded UKPAC for all businesses in Torbay to use for free for a year. I encourage anyone who is sick of retail crime to sign up now. There’s no financial commitment and it’s a win-win for everyone – except criminals.”  

Traders signed up to UKPAC can easily report every offence using an app or online portal. It takes just a couple of minutes to report a crime, and incidents from not just the local area but across the country can be easily linked, ensuring the full extent of offending can be robustly prosecuted.  

Any business operating in Torbay can get access to UKPAC, including shops, bars, restaurants or any other business in hospitality and the night-time economy.  

They can also easily and securely share information about offenders with each other and receive updates about cases that have been passed for prosecution, ensuring they will always see the outcome of the case.  

Chief Superintendent Roy Linden of Devon & Cornwall Police said: “This is an excellent result which shows the value in the new tool available to us to support businesses in reporting crime, enabling us to respond quickly and effectively.   

“We recognise the impact shoplifting has in our coastal and rural communities as well as our town centres, and initiatives like UKPAC help improve the service we can provide in both detecting and preventing crime. 

“This is a great first result for the Torbay business community. It is an example of what can be achieved when businesses, police, and partners come together to combat crime. A collaborative partnership approach is the way forward to effectively handle the range of crime businesses face on a day-to-day basis.” 

The pilot scheme in Torbay runs until April 2026 and is free for any business in the area to sign up to. After April, traders can continue to pay for a subscription if they wish – but there is no obligation to do so.