Birmingham Thief Captured on CCTV Stealing Skincare Products from Boots
A Birmingham thief has been handed a suspended prison sentence after being caught on camera stealing skincare products from Boots stores. Waleed Basharat, aged 26, was captured on CCTV footage walking around a Boots store with an unknown woman, filling carrier bags with items before leaving without paying.
Incident Details and Police Response
The theft occurred in Derbyshire, where Basharat ran from the scene but was later spotted by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) on patrol in Alfreton. The incident took place at approximately 1:45 PM on Saturday, January 31. A staff member at the Boots store on High Street reported the theft, providing a description of the suspect to the officer.
The PCSO searched the area, spotted Basharat, and chased after him before making the arrest. During the investigation, police recovered skincare products worth hundreds of pounds, which were later returned to the store. In a police interview, Basharat admitted he had no right to take the items and had planned to sell them on.
Additional Theft and Court Proceedings
Basharat also admitted to a separate case involving the theft of multiple perfume gift sets from a Boots store in Lichfield on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The stolen goods in this incident were valued at approximately £700. Additionally, he admitted possession of cannabis.
At Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in February, Basharat pleaded guilty to theft from a shop. He later appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, March 26, where he was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Basharat resides on Ludlow Road in Alum Rock.
Police Statement and Community Impact
Sergeant James Bowler of the Alfreton safer neighbourhood team commented on the case, stating, "We have patrol strategies in place for every community we serve, and this is a prime example of why we have officers out and about." He added, "This was a great piece of collaborative working between an officer and a local business. By providing a clear description of the suspect, we were able to track him down a short while later. We are pleased to see that Basharat has been sentenced for his crime."
Staffordshire Police previously reported that officers were alerted to the theft at the Boots store in Bakers Lane, Lichfield, where the culprit stole goods worth around £700 at about 3 PM. Basharat was arrested nearby and subsequently charged with shoplifting.
