Numerous shoplifters have been arrested in Huddersfield after undercover officers in plain clothes made multiple strikes in a new retail crime operation.
Officers from Huddersfield’s Pro Active Town Centre Team are continuing to investigate matters after snaring persons suspected of shoplifting in an operation to assist retailers on the Huddersfield Retail Park on 22 July.
The operation, which was carried out as part of the ongoing Safer Streets initiative, saw officers deploy to retailers on Beck Road following recent reports of shoplifting there.
In addition, during the day officers, also in operating in plain clothes, identified, located and arrested a man wanted for theft from a supermarket and arrested a woman wanted for other store thefts.
Another man wanted for multiple thefts who was on recall to prison was also located, arrested and charged.
The operation was the latest of several initiatives by the team as part of Safer Streets, including recent proactive drugs dogs patrols in Huddersfield bus station and in the town centre.
Supported by the Home Office, the programme brings together key local partners including councils, transport, businesses and community organisations to reduce crime affecting day to day life in communities.
PC James Hemsley, of the Proactive Town Centre Team, said: “This latest operation was carried out to reassure retailers and make it very clear to those engaged in shop theft that police will take action against those involved in such criminality.
“Deploying in plain clothes allowed officers to patrol unobtrusively in stores in order to observe and act if criminality was taking place, as well as target and locate wanted persons.
“We were also able to gain useful intelligence on other suspected offending taking place. That information will now be used to plan future activity.”
Sergeant Graham Watson, also of the team, added: “A lot of work has already been ongoing to support Safer Streets and as part of our regular business week in and week out, to make the town centre safer.
“The proactive team was specifically formed to hunt down those making day to day life in the town a misery and reports allow us to make sure our officers are deployed where they need to be.”
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