Moment Britain’s most prolific female shoplifter with 171 convictions flees store while disguised under huge hat

THIS is the moment Britain’s most prolific female shoplifter flees a store with an armful of stolen bags while hiding under a huge hat.

Tanya Liddle, dubbed a “one woman crimewave”, has racked up a staggering 171 convictions in total – including 150 for shoplifting.

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Tanya Liddle can be seen brazenly swiping bags from TK MaxxCredit: SWNS
The prolific shoplifter uses hats to disguise herself

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The prolific shoplifter uses hats to disguise herselfCredit: SWNS
Liddle has racked up 150 convictions for shoplifting

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Liddle has racked up 150 convictions for shopliftingCredit: SWNS

The 43-year-old is so notorious among store workers in the North East of England she uses hats in a brazen bid to disguise herself.

CCTV shows Liddle, who has been arrested 400 times, wearing one of her headpieces while stealing £1,500 worth of designer bags from TK Maxx.

Footage shows her struggling to carry on the stolen bags on her arms as she casually strolls out of the store in Northumberland.

Liddle has now been banned from all shops in the area – barring one pharmacy, one supermarket and a clothes store.

Northumbria Police said it is the strictest order they have ever issued against a repeat offender.

The severity of the ban means shameless Liddle can be sent to prison if she breaches it.

Inspector Patrick Hannon said: “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.

“I’d like to reassure the public that should we find Liddle to be in a premises she shouldn’t be, we will not hesitate to take action and get her arrested.”

Anyone who witnesses Liddle in a premises she is prohibited from entering can ring police on 101 to report her.

The footage shows Liddle shamelessly strolling out of the store

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The footage shows Liddle shamelessly strolling out of the storeCredit: SWNS
She faces prison if she is caught flouting the ban

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She faces prison if she is caught flouting the banCredit: SWNS