A "PROLIFIC offender" has been told he can only buy clothes from Sports Direct after being banned from entering almost every shop in Herefordshire.

Nathan Harrison, 30, has been given the three-year retail premises ban after racking up more than 50 offences for theft.

Harrison, of River View, Ross-on-Wye, was convicted of the most recent two at Hereford Magistrates' Court last week following shoplifting offences which took place earlier this month.

This prompted the court to grant the three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which had been applied for by West Mercia Police.

The man in charge of harm reduction for Herefordshire says the order was brought because Harrison won't listen and continues to break the law.

"Harrison is a prolific offender who has been given support and plenty of opportunities to change his offending behaviour," said Jim Mooney, Herefordshire's Police Harm Reduction Co-ordinator.

"The police requesting this order is the end result of Harrison not listening and continuing to break the law.

"The property he has stolen has a direct effect on the owners and operators of the retail premises he has targeted - many of these operators are local small companies who can ill afford to lose stock in this way."

Harrison was also convicted of an attempted theft of a pedal cycle, and unlawful possession of diamorphine, a Class A drug.

The Criminal Behaviour Order means he is banned from entering any retail premises in Herefordshire apart from Boots to pick-up medical supplies, Morrisons supermarket to buy food, and Sports Direct to buy clothes.

The order will be lifted in August 2018.

Mr Mooney said Harrison's photo, plus the details of the order, have been shared with the retail trade security group in Hereford and placed on Facewatch - an online internet site that allows members to share secure information that will help them to reduce loss.

"The public is urged to contact the police if they see Harrison in retail premises other than those mentioned in the order," added Mr Mooney.