Prolific Worthing shop thief jailed for his latest offences

Friday, 2 October 2026 06:00

By V2 RADIO

Dale Searle, 38, of no fixed abode - Credit: Sussex Police 2026

A prolific shop thief who targeted stores in Worthing has been jailed.

Dale Searle, 38, entered stores including the Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons in the town.

During a crime spree, he stole items worth more than £6,800.

Video footage showed Searle entering a Tesco Express store in Dominion Road on two occasions with his own shopping list.

He left stores with bags full of shopping and made no attempt to pay.

Dale Searle has been convicted after thefts worth more than £6,800 in Worthing stores earlier this spring. But he was already identified as a prolific shoplifter and was targeted for arrest as part of Operation Apprentice.

At Lewes Crown Court on 4 September, Searle, of no fixed address, admitted 19 counts of shop theft, Dale Searle has been convicted after thefts worth more than £6,800 in Worthing stores earlier this spring, including an assault on an emergency worker, and a business burglary at a vaping shop.

The incidents took place between March and May this year, with stores including the Co-op stores in Heene Road and Ham Road in Selden, Sainsbury’s at Lyons Farm, Morrisons at Broadwater, and Tesco in Dominion Road.

Searle was jailed for two years.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Chris Bryant said: “Searle is a repeat offender who had previously been jailed for shoplifting offences in February this year.

“We understand the impact shoplifting and retail crime has for staff, shoppers, and our communities, and we are working closely with partners to prevent offences.

“This case shows our determination to catch prolific offenders who we are identifying through Operation Apprentice.

“Searle is now serving a custodial sentence.”

Get the latest ALERTS for BREAKING NEWS in the SOUTH on your phone by downloading the V2 RADIO APP today!

V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK is offering half-price deals on a wide range of experiences across the South, from meals out at local restaurants to tickets for some of the region’s biggest events.

Amazing HALF PRICE local offers! Save money and get a great deal at V2vouchers.co.uk

More from Local News

Two men arrested following violent knife incident at Worthing railway station

Two men have been arrested following a violent altercation involving knives at Worthing railway station.
Chichester Festival Theatre responds after performance cancelled following reported assault on cast member - Updated: 10:23 14.10.2026

A performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Chichester Festival Theatre was cancelled on Tuesday evening (13 October), following reports that a member of the cast had been attacked.
New dinosaur species discovered on Isle of Wight after fossil lay hidden for almost 100 years

A new species of meat-eating dinosaur, armed with giant claws and roughly the size of a large tiger, has been identified from a fossil discovered on the Isle of Wight more than a century ago.
Urgent police appeal to find missing woman last seen at Southampton railway station

Police are appealing for help to find a missing 38-year-old woman from Southampton who may have travelled to London.
Sussex Police issue urgent warning over scam calls impersonating cybercrime officers

Sussex Police are warning residents to be on their guard after fraudsters began impersonating police officers in an attempt to steal personal information, including passwords and financial details.
New Chichester exhibition celebrates remarkable women who helped shape local history

A new exhibition celebrating the achievements of remarkable women from across the Chichester district is set to open this weekend.
West Sussex residents urged to prepare for flooding as £32,000 invested in village improvements

Residents across West Sussex are being urged to prepare for possible flooding this winter, as the county council invests more than £32,000 tackling long-standing drainage problems in a local village.
Man charged with Brighton sexual assault

A man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Cheapside near London Road, Brighton in the early hours of Friday 9 October.
Warning Southampton must move beyond student flats to rival biggest competitors

Southampton needs a broader mix of development if it is to challenge the UK’s biggest regional cities, property experts have said.
Women less likely to receive lifesaving CPR as South East ambulance service launches new campaign

Women suffering a cardiac arrest are less likely to receive lifesaving CPR from bystanders than men, prompting a new campaign by South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) to tackle the potentially deadly gender gap.