Salisbury CCTV operators spot city centre shoplifting

Two people have been arrested and remain in custody

The cameras have been manned by Salisbury City Council volunteers for the last six years
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 13th Dec 2022

A man and a woman have been arrested, after Salisbury's city centre CCTV operators alerted police to a shoplifting incident.

Officers were told that two people left Boots on Silver Street, without paying for goods, at around 4.30pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 12th December).

The pair made off from the scene in an Audi A3, which was spotted by police outside Tesco on Castle Street.

The shoplifting happened at Boots in Salisbury, with CCTV staff alerting police

During a search of the vehicle, suspected stolen items were found inside, including beauty products and clothing.

Class A and B drugs and a baseball bat were also discovered by police.

A man in his 30s from Exmouth in Devon has been arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of an offensive weapon, having no insurance, and possession of a Class A drug.

A woman in her 50s from Warmley, South Gloucestershire, has been arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a Class B drug.

Both are still in custody, while enquiries continue.

Duty Inspector Gareth Edwards said:

“This was excellent work by Citywatch volunteers who initially alerted us to suspected shoplifting in the city centre. Officers attended the scene swiftly and made two arrests as well as seized a number of suspected stolen items.

“We continue to work closely with CCTV operators in our towns and city centres during the festive period when these areas are especially busy, so that we can target opportunist thieves as well as those more organised criminals who visit our shops with the sole purpose of committing crime. This behaviour will not be tolerated and you will be caught."

If you suspect shoplifting in progress, you're asked to call 999, or contact Wiltshire Police on 101, if an incident has happened previously.

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