15 arrested in Nuneaton police operation
Officers from Nuneaton and Bedworth Safer Neighbourhood Team were involved
Officers from Nuneaton and Bedworth Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) arrested 15 people as part of a week of action, targeting business crime in the area.
The officers carried out plain-clothed patrols to target shoplifting and other crimes, which affect businesses in the towns.
Fifteen people were arrested during the week (commencing 17 October); nine of these were for shoplifting offences. Other offences included going equipped, possession of weapons, possession of drugs and assaulting a police officer (see below for more details.)
A well as the arrests, a vehicle was seized, six fixed penalty notices were issued and 22 stop and searches were carried out.
The team also held community events to help promote security advice and handed out bike safety equipment to people cycling to and from work in the town centres.
Inspector Kris Shore from Nuneaton and Bedworth SNT said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; we all pay for it through increased prices to compensate for the losses. At a time when many people are struggling to make ends meet it is important we tackle this type of crime.
“We believe there are a small number of persistent offenders responsible for the majority of shoplifting offences in the town and it was these people the operation was targeting.
“The SNT normally carry out high-visibility patrols to deter offending. During this operation we were in plain clothes so we were better placed to catch offenders in the act and get close to them without being noticed.
“We appreciate many people responsible for shoplifting offences have drug and alcohol addiction problems and it is important we point them in the direction of support that can help them tackle their addictions. We will always look to help people get the support they need as this is the best way we can address their long-term offending.
“As well as putting suspects before the courts we are also looking to use Criminal Behaviour Orders to restrict offenders’ access to shops and the opportunity for offending.
“We will look to repeat this operation and going into the Christmas period the successes of last week’s action should serve as a warning to shoplifters and other offenders that we are taking proactive action to identify you and we will take action.
“I would like to thank local businesses for their support last week; it is only by working in partnership that we can tackle this problem.”
Full list of people arrested by officers as part of Operation Redhill
Monday 17 October
Jordan MacCallum, 36, of Foleshill Road, Coventry was arrested in Riversley Park after CCTV operators reported seeing someone stealing clothes from a shop in Ropewalk. He was later charged with theft and will appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 18 November. A 30-year-old woman from Coventry who was arrested with him was cautioned for theft.
Terrance Dunn, 35, of Attleborough Road, Nuneaton was arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was due to appear at court earlier this month to face a charge of theft. He appeared at court on 17 Ocrtober where he was fined after being convicted of theft and failing to surrender to court.
Tuesday 18 October
Wednesday 19 October
A teenage boy from Atherstone was arrested on suspicion of going equipped after officers seized bolt cutters when they stopped him Windsor Street, Nuneaton. He was later released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Thursday 20 October
Adam Kneller, 46, of Thorncliffe Way, Nuneaton was arrested after officers received a report of a theft of stationary from a shop in Queen’s Road, Nuneaton. He was later charged with that theft and two others in the town. He will appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 25 November.
Naomi Large, 42, of no fixed abode and Steven Rogan, 33, of Tryan Road, Nuneaton were both charged with theft after officers responded to a report of food being stolen from a shop in Queen’s Road, Nuneaton. They will appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 25 November.
Ashley Malkin, 29, of Wheat Street, Nuneaton was arrested after officers seized items stolen from a shop in All Saints Square, Bedworth after detaining him. He was charged with two counts of theft and will appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 24 November.
Friday 21 October
Three women were arrested after suspected heroin, a blade and a knuckleduster were seized from a car in Mill Street, Bedworth. Laura Burbury, 41, of Hayes Lane, Exhall was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a blade. Stephanie Brown, 33, of Warwick Road, Coventry was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. The third woman was released with no further action to be taken.
Jonathan Laws, 40, of no fixed abode was arrested in connection with theft in Nuneaton over the past few weeks. An officer was allegedly assaulted as he detained Laws. Laws was charged with two counts of theft and one count of assaulting a police officer.
Saturday 22 October
A 26-year-old man from Nuneaton was given a fixed penalty notice after being arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Queen’s Road, Nuneaton.