The career criminal with 171 convictions who used disguises to avoid being caught shoplifting


This career criminal has been arrested almost 400 times and has 171 convictions to her name - the majority of which relate to shoplifting offences.

Tanya Liddle helped herself to £1,500 worth of bags from TK Maxx at Westmorland Retail Park in Cramlington during one of her latest offences in April. In an attempt to avoid being caught, she donned a disguise before swiping several handbags and a basket of goods from the store.

CCTV captured the 43-year-old wearing a navy sun hat and a black puffer coat, blue skinny jeans and trainers, as she briefly lingered around the exit before leaving the store with at least seven bags on her body, as well as a basket of items.

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But her attempt to conceal her identity failed and now she is subject to a civil injunction, banning her from entering almost every shop in the North East. The order is the strictest of its kind ever issued in the Northumbria Police force area.

It means she is only permitted to shop in one pharmacy, one supermarket and one clothing retailer. And if she ignores the terms and conditions of her order, she faces arrest and a possible jail term.

-Credit:Northumbria Police
-Credit:Northumbria Police

It comes following decades of Liddle, of Newcastle, plaguing the region with her offending. Anyone who witnesses Liddle in a premises she is prohibited from entering should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the live chat function on the website. For those who cannot contact the force via these ways, call 101.

Inspector Patrick Hannon, of Northumbria Police, said: "We are pleased to have secured this order, which is thanks to the excellent and tireless work of our officers. Liddle has consistently targeted retailers for a number of years and exhausted every opportunity given to her to change her ways. With that in mind, we feel that this is the best way to manage her offending.

"The severity of this order demonstrates the seriousness of her criminality and the significant impact it has had on the retail community within the region, which is something we will simply not accept. I hope this ruling sends a clear message to other shoplifters that your behaviour will not be tolerated and you will be brought to justice."