Suspected Serial Shoplifter Charged Over £25,000 Boots Thefts Across England and Wales

A man accused of stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods from Boots stores nationwide has been charged following a major police investigation. Brendan Brain, 38, formerly of Milton Road, Southampton, is alleged to have carried out a spree of thefts and burglaries targeting the health and beauty chain across 10 areas in […]

A man accused of stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods from Boots stores nationwide has been charged following a major police investigation.

Brendan Brain, 38, formerly of Milton Road, Southampton, is alleged to have carried out a spree of thefts and burglaries targeting the health and beauty chain across 10 areas in England and Wales. The offences span from March 2024 to April 2025, with losses totalling £25,000.

Boots reported 40 new shoplifting incidents linked to the suspect, including 11 thefts in Sussex—most of them in the west of the county.

Brain was arrested on 5 June by officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, following extensive collaboration between Boots’ security teams, Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team, and forces across the country.

He has since been charged with 12 counts of shoplifting and two burglaries. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Staines Magistrates’ Court on 29 September.

PC Chris Bishop, based in Worthing, coordinated with other police forces to piece together the pattern of offences. He praised the joint effort that led to Brain’s arrest.

“This case is a good example of our targeted, partnership-led approach to address retail crime by focusing on priority offenders,” said PC Bishop. “We strive to work collaboratively with Boots and other businesses to reduce their losses and bring high harm offenders to justice.”

Sussex Police reaffirmed their commitment to working with retailers to prevent offences and ensure perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.