Woman has been banned from all Tesco stores in Merseyside and Cheshire

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering all Tesco stores and three retail parks in Merseyside and Cheshire after pleading guilty to stealing thousands of pounds of items.

Yesterday (Tuesday 2 June), 41-year-old Rachel Lyon pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to 11 counts of shop theft and five counts of attempting to steal from shops in Merseyside and Cheshire between October 2025 and January 2026.

Lyon’s thefts included stealing perfume and cosmetics from John Lewis in Liverpool valued at £1,400 on 20 December. The next day (21 December) she stole items to the value of £470 from Home Bargains on Childwall Valley Road. Then on 23 December she stole £852 worth of alcohol from Sainsburys in Woolton Village. Her shoplifting spree continued when she stole £524 of perfume from John Lewis on 19 January.

She also attempted to steal candles, groceries and bedding valued at more than £1,000 from Tesco Widnes on 14 October last year. In another instance at the same supermarket, she attempted to steal groceries and perfume worth £956 on 1 December.

Yesterday, the court issued Lyon, of Ringway Road in Belle Vale, with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning her from entering any Tesco in Merseyside and Cheshire, Sainsburys in Woolton and the following retail parks: Belle Vale Shopping Centre, Hunts Cross Shopping Centre and Cables Retail Park in Prescot.

Sergeant Rachel Hassett said: “Lyon’s prolific offending was across two force areas – Merseyside and Cheshire – and she is estimated to have stolen £9,000 in the three-month period.

“Her thieving had a detrimental effect on retail outlets, and this Criminal Behaviour Order is a great result for the community and hopefully should prevent further offences.

“Criminal Behaviour Orders continue to be an extremely effective tool and our successful application in this case shows our commitment to dealing robustly with repeat offenders who have a negative impact on the communities we serve. 

“We hope this serves as a clear warning to others, that the force will robustly take steps to address prolific offenders, working with businesses and partners.”

If you have any information on suspected theft contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC.

You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously