'I shoplifted to fuel drug habit' says reformed thief

"I shoplifted to fuel my drug habit," says one reformed thief, who now works to help rehabilitate people in similar situations.

Roxy, 46, from Preston, said she began stealing items when she was still in primary school and became a prolific shoplifter in adulthood - describing stealing as easy - before some support she received while on probation helped her turn her life around.

"You're sat there with nothing: you've no options - you're going to steal and that's not saying it's right," she told BBC Radio Lancashire.

In 2025, more than 9,500 shoplifting incidents were recorded in Lancashire - with the highest number of incidents taking place in Burnley, according to official data.

"I started shoplifting as a youngster, back when I was in primary school," said Roxy, initially stealing toys and sweets, then make-up, and later food and clothes.

"When you're brought up in a family that is quite large - you don't get the same things as everybody else.

"You go out and think that you're not doing anything wrong, and then you end up getting a criminal record because obviously it does catch up with you."

Roxy says stealing was just one aspect of the addictive behaviour which saw her become a drug user, ultimately ending up in court and on probation.

"I've been in addiction myself, and one of the parts of my addiction was stealing from shops to fund my drug habit, and to feed myself, to clothe myself."

She explains the shoplifting wasn't just about personal need, it was also "to get products to sell on the market".

"People know that they are getting things cheaper, so you become a retailer with what you've taken from a shop, to fund what you need - whether that's for addiction, or because you're homeless."

Then, eight years ago - after being arrested and going through the court system - Roxy was given the chance to start afresh.

"What I can remember is probation were really helpful," she told the BBC, highlighting the support she received from the charity Lancashire women.

"They did believe in me and I did change.

With that change came "a positive outlook on life".

"It takes you a lifetime to get everything back - to understand where you went wrong and how you need to adjust into society - and feel comfortable with yourself," she said.

Now working as a criminal justice lead for charity Red Rose Recovery Preston, Roxy supports people through recovery from addiction and helps them too to "turn their life around".

She also works alongside shopkeepers, pointing out where there are security weaknesses in their shops, and how to better protect their business.

"I feel proud of myself that I can sit at home and I can give that support to my children for them to go on and progress with what they want to do," she told the BBC.

"If I was the person I was eight years ago, they would see somebody who was broken... now they actually see a mum who can support them and protect them."

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