Prolific offender has been banned from Romford town centre.

Prolific Offender Banned from Romford Town Centre

Steven Ellis, 43, of Dunton Road in Romford, has been issued a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) by North East London Magistrates' Court on June 27.

The CBO stems from Ellis's history of shoplifting at a town centre store. As a result, he is prohibited from entering the Romford town centre, including the Mercury Mall shopping centre, within the Romford ring road.

The order also forbids Ellis from begging during the same period and prohibits him from engaging in any behavior that could cause anti-social behaviour, harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to anyone in Havering.

Furthermore, Ellis received a suspended sentence for shoplifting. Any violation of the CBO or committing another offense could lead to imprisonment.

Sgt Alex Norrington of the Safer Neighbourhood's Police Team described Ellis as "a prolific offender in the Romford town area and the borough of Havering." He emphasized, "We are clear in our message that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Havering and will continue to take robust action when needed."

Police investigations revealed Ellis as a recurring shoplifting suspect who had also started begging in the town centre and wider Havering. Despite a community notice protection with conditions issued in 2023, police confirmed its breach.

The CBO aims to steer Ellis towards a drugs and alcohol program, offering him support and working towards preventing future offenses.