Police have been using plain-clothes officers during Preston’s late-night shopping period to target shoplifting.
Four people have been arrested and charged with shoplifting as a result of what police are calling Operation Sabotage.
Alongside shoplifting two knives were recovered during searches and three people were arrested for drug offences.
Read more: Five arrests made during Preston Police undercover shoplifting operation
Inspector Dave Byrne from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We use an array of different proactive tactics to ensure our officers are on the front foot in cracking down on this type of crime.
“Theft and shoplifting is not tolerated in Preston – it causes harm to our communities and businesses and we will be relentless in tackling it.
“The message is clear: you never know when you’re in the presence of a plain-clothed officer.”
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