Preston Police officers have cracked down on city centre shoplifters in a new plain-clothed operation.
Officers from the neighbourhood team and Preston Task Force used data and feedback from stores, partners and members of the community to identify hotspots that had seen a spike in shoplifting offences.
Over a three days period eleven people were stop searched and one person was issued a fixed penalty for theft.
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Five people were arrested during the operation – two for shoplifting, two for failing to appear at court and one for robbery, possession of a bladed article, possession of a controlled substance and assaulting an emergency worker.
Sergeant Adam Sixsmith from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “During this operation, we have supported some of the highest-affected stores in Preston City Centre.
“It was a successful operation with some great results, and we will continue to carry out initiatives like this to combat shoplifting and make Preston City Centre a less attractive target for theft.”
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