Two people have been charged as part of police’s ongoing clampdown on shoplifting across Preston and its surrounding area.

Police reported yesterday on two arrests that had been made this week.

Officers were called to TK Maxx at the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale before 5pm on Wednesday (28 August) after reports of stolen handbags. A 56-year-old woman was arrested at the scene.

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Lilley Smith, 56, from Albyn Bank Road, Preston has now been charged with theft from a shop. She has been bailed to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court in November.

Separately, a woman was arrested after a theft from Tesco on Longridge Road in Ribbleton on Sunday (25 August). She was arrested on Wednesday after police enquiries.

Kiera Brogden, 30, from Alder Road, Ribbleton has been charged with theft from a shop. She has been remanded in custody to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court this morning (30 August).

A spokesperson for police said: “Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

“The operation sees dedicated officers undertaking hotspot patrolling, increasing their visibility in targeted areas and creating strong partnerships with retailers across the county to better share intelligence, get a deeper understanding of retail crime and identify more offenders.”

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