British man charged for Singapore airport theft after returning to terminal two years later

A 26-year-old British man has been arrested more than two years after allegedly stealing a denim jacket from a Singapore airport terminal.

On 14 August 2024, police were alerted to a blue denim jacket missing from a display mannequin at a retail outlet in Jewel Changi airport.

CCTV showed that the British man appeared to remove the $350 (£202) jacket from the mannequin and left the store without paying at around 3.55pm.

According to the Singapore Police Force, when the Airport Police Division (APD) identified the man, he had already left Singapore.

The alleged thief was arrested on return to Changi airport on 15 August.

The police said in a statement: “The police take a serious stance on shop theft and will deal firmly with offenders in accordance with the law. Offenders should not assume that they can evade detection simply by leaving Singapore after committing an offence.

“The Police will continue to work closely with stakeholders to prevent, detect and deter shop theft at Changi airport.”

The man will be charged in court on 25 August with one count of theft in dwelling. Those convicted of theft in Singapore face up to seven years in jail, a fine, or both.

Singapore Police Force added that a 50-year-old Polish woman will also be charged for the alleged theft of a $410 (£235) perfume from the transit area of Changi airport terminal 1 on 11 June.

In November, a man was fined after admitting to stealing luggage from a mother as she breastfed her daughter at Gatwick airport.

John Brooks, 52, of Brighton Road, Crawley, pleaded guilty to taking a suitcase and a child’s backpack from the airport on 30 October 2025.

He also admitted causing £88.30 worth of criminal damage, having broken a security barrier with his head while making his escape with the stolen items.

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