Five arrested in operation to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in Stevenage
It's being led by local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
Five people have been arrested as part of an operation to target shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in shopping precincts and retail parks in Stevenage.
Operation Enthral being led by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team with special patrols taking place across the town.
Neighbourhood Inspector Will Rogers Overy explains: “ASB and retail crime continues to be an issue in Stevenage and tackling this is one of our local policing priorities."
“Retail theft has an impact on all of us in terms of putting pressure on prices. There is also the negative impact it can have on the people who work and shop in the stores and who witness this type of crime, and there is also evidence to link stolen goods with drug crime.”
The first shopping area to be targeted was the Oval and on Thursday 3 April the teams began four days of patrols, using plain clothed officers on the ground with uniformed mobile officers on electric police bikes.
The first suspect was spotted on CCTV in the Co-Op and a foot chase ensued, along with officers on bikes. The suspect was quickly apprehended and a 42 year old man from Stevenage was reported to court for outstanding theft offences.
Officers were back at the location on Tuesday 8 April, this time supported by Operation Scorpion officers. A suspect was quickly spotted and apprehended in the Co-Op. After a search revealed stolen items, he was arrested on suspicion of theft.
The third day of action took place on Thursday 10 April – back at the Oval. After monitoring CCTV, Ricky Briars from Stevenage was intercepted by officers as he left the Co -Op store, arrested and subsequently charged with theft.
Officers were back out at the Oval on Friday, but no arrests were made on that day, however on Sunday a 36 year old man who was wanted for theft offences was spotted and subsequently arrested.
Officers were then back out on Monday (14 April) in the High Street and a 34 year old man from Stevenage was arrested on suspicion of theft from the Tesco Express store. Officers also caught two more men from Stevenage who were shopflifting in the Co Op at the Oval.
“In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to monitor hot spot areas and expect more arrests to be made,” added Inspector Rogers-Overy. “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we want people to feel that shopping precincts are safe places to work and visit.”