The next morning, Mais would call a taxi and embark on his planned thieving spree, accumulating up to £3,000 worth of goods, ranging from food and sunglasses to scented candles.
The 34-year-old was a prolific shoplifter, one of the most active in the UK. Now reformed, he shares his methods and his motivation to overcome his "addiction to theft" to help others.
Describing his tactics, Mais explained, "I wouldn't leave a shop without buying something, sometimes going in two or three times." His primary targets were Co-op supermarkets, Specsavers opticians, and garden centers.
Wearing a long coat, Mais could conceal over a dozen bottles of alcohol before heading to the checkout to purchase a pack of gum as a diversion. This, he said, worked every time.
"I had a lavish lifestyle because anything I needed, whether it was food, clothes, alcohol, or something for my wife, I stole," Mais said.
Over 10 years, Mais estimates he stole over £3 million worth of merchandise, mostly sold to a network of "buyers" for cash to fund his heroin addiction. He was rarely caught.
By 28, Mais had 10 convictions, six for theft. He admitted, "I was robbing so many shops every day that getting caught every two years was pretty good. Even with £2,000 in my pocket, I'd still be shoplifting the next day. It became an addiction."
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Cullan Mais often wore a coat to conceal stolen goods. Photo: Independent |
Cullan Mais often wore a coat to conceal stolen goods. Photo: Independent
In 2020, Mais was hospitalized with sepsis and pneumonia. "I was at rock bottom and knew I had to change," he said.
Mais received rehabilitation support to overcome his heroin and shoplifting addictions. He now runs a podcast, hoping to help others trapped in a similar cycle of crime.
Shoplifting in England and Wales reached a record high in 2024-2025, up 20% from 2023-2024. Retailers are struggling with the rising tide of theft.
In July, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a new crackdown campaign targeting crime, including more active patrols and robust law enforcement to restore faith in the police.
Mais attributes the rise in crime to the cost of living crisis and failures in addressing crime. He suggests a dedicated rehabilitation program for shoplifters. "I think more people need support within the community; some shouldn't be in prison because it's not working. They come out and re-offend," Mais stated.
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Now reformed, Cullan Mais has a podcast to help others like his former self. Photo: Independent |
Now reformed, Cullan Mais has a podcast to help others like his former self. Photo: Independent
Police are using innovative approaches to tackle shoplifting, including specialized teams addressing drug-related theft. Measures include placing offenders into residential rehabilitation centers and high-quality recovery communities.
Speaking about his current work, Mais explained, "I take responsibility for what I've done, educate people, help shop owners prevent loss, and help people stuck in the cycle I was in, giving them hope that change is possible."
Tue Anh (Independent)
