Officers spring into action against shoplifters

Local policing team officers in Lichfield have sprung into action to target shoplifters this month and are reflecting on some positive results.

The targeted action saw both special constables and PCs take the lead on identifying and detaining individuals on suspicion of shoplifting offences throughout the district. 

Some of the positive results the team achieved include:

• Recovering a total of £287.87-worth of items from a man and a woman found shoplifting from a B&M store
• Detaining a man, with the help of security, and recovering £120.38-worth of stolen items found under his clothing
• Arresting a man for theft from One Stop in Chasetown with property recovered
• Arresting another man over the theft of £143-worth of alcohol
• Issuing two banning orders and recovering £110-worth of property from two different detained men
• Issuing three banning orders to three different women and recovering £208-worth of stolen items.

In total, goods worth £867.10 have been recovered and returned to affected stores.

Officers are also continuing to carry out targeted patrols in areas where more than £500-worth of cleaning equipment was stolen from stores Chasetown, while we also responded to a small number of calls relating to anti-social behaviour and property alarms going off. 

Temporary Chief Inspector Paul Finlayson, Commander of Lichfield local policing team, said: “I am pleased this plain-clothes operation has been such a success, especially in the lead up to Christmas. 

“We are particularly grateful to our community partners including stores’ security staff, business owners and leaders, retail premises and the local authority, who have all supported this action. 

“We will continue to run these types of operations across the district to target retail crime throughout 2025.”

Anyone who is concerned about acquisitive crime in their area should visit Crime prevention advice | Staffordshire Police or call 101. Call 999 in an emergency. 

To report anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.