A reusable shopping bag left behind at a Surrey opticians helped police catch a man linked to the theft of more than £127,000 worth of goods.

A fingerprint belonging to Charlie Woodford was found on a Sainsbury’s bag for life left at the scene of the burglary in Haslemere.

The discovery provided a vital clue in an investigation into a string of commercial burglaries across Surrey, Hampshire and Somerset between August 2024 and May 2025.

Businesses were ransacked after burglars used a crowbar to force their way inside after hours, targeting cash and stock.

The offenders wore gloves and covered their faces, but CCTV from the burglary at the Haslemere opticians showed the reusable bag which ultimately helped police identify Woodford.

The 27-year-old, of Southampton, was subsequently connected to a string of burglaries across the three counties.

He was arrested on June 19, 2025, following an early-morning raid on multiple addresses in Southampton and Wiltshire which he was known to have access to.

Among the items recovered was a stolen caravan containing packaging and stocktake reports attributed to four recent burglaries Woodford was thought to be connected to.

Videos later found on Woodford’s phone also showed him sitting in the back of a car, leaning on bulging white rubble sacks filled with stolen goods and bragging about having “the boot jammed full, absolutely brimmed” with more.

Woodford was charged with a robbery in Hampshire and conspiracy to commit burglary covering 19 offences across Surrey, Hampshire and Somerset.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, July 31.

Woodford was handed two consecutive sentences totalling 12 years and six months – 10 years and six months for a robbery in Hampshire and two years for conspiracy to commit burglary.

Investigating officer PC Grindlay said: “Charlie Woodford's downfall was complacency. He believed he could continue committing burglaries without consequence, but every offence left some evidence for us to piece together.

“Through a meticulous investigation we were able to put Woodford before the courts and eventually behind bars.

“My message to anyone considering committing burglaries is simple, you should expect us to investigate relentlessly, and you should get used to looking over your shoulder, because sooner or later we will catch you.”