A PROLIFIC thief will serve just under a year in jail after being found guilty of a series of offences in Woking and Guildford.

Syed Masud Miah, 30, and of no fixed abode was arrested and charged on August 22 following a theft from a store in Commercial Way.

Surrey Police were called by the town's security team to Woking Railway Station at around 5.30pm after they had given chase to two men suspected of stealing high-value cosmetic products.

Officers apprehended one of the men who was in possession of £130 worth of stolen goods. While in custody Miah was arrested for a further five theft offences.

Police said the other offender had managed to escape.

Constable Chris Potts from the Woking neighbourhood team praised the co-operation between the town's security teams and Surrey Police.

He said: "I am delighted the quick response of the Woking town security officers has led to an individual being charged and jailed for these offences.

"These were planned offences which targeted a well known business in the town. As demonstrated this is something that will not be tolerated and both Surrey Police and our security counterparts will quickly respond and deal with shoplifters effectively."

The arrest and subsequent sentence is part of Surrey Police's crackdown on shoplifting in the borough.

Detective Constable Kerry Whindle, from Guildford CID, who led the investigation, added: "The prison term of 50 weeks given by the magistrate is a positive outcome in demonstrating thefts from shops are a serious offence.

"Surrey Police will relentlessly pursue those who commit theft and I hope the news of this arrest and jail sentence deters any would-be offenders from targeting stores across Surrey."

Miah pleaded guilty to all six offences when he appeared at  South West Surrey Magistrates Court in Guildford on August 23 and was immediately jailed.