Operation Reclaim: Shoplifters back behind bars after causing 'a misery' to local shops and businesses

Some of the city's most prolific shoplifting offenders are now back behind bars thanks to a police operation to target those causing the most harm to the city centre.

This is all part of Operation Reclaim, a partnership approach to tackling the major problems affecting the city centre including retail crime.

Neighbourhood Policing teams were joined by the priority tasking team for a day of action, which resulted in eight people being arrested for offences on Friday 12 June.

This included a 60-year-old woman being remanded into custody on suspicion of five thefts from shops including stealing handbags from the Victoria Centre worth more than £130.

A 35-year-old man was also remanded into custody after he was spotted in the city centre on suspicion of stealing quantities of protein bars from Tesco in Long Row.

A 41-year-old was then remanded into custody on suspicion of three shop thefts after he failed to attend court and a 67-year-old man was then arrested and charged for stealing various items from the Victoria Centre.

Officers were also informed that a female victim had her handbag stolen near to Station Street.

A 34-year-old man had taken the car keys and was later arrested and charged for not only the handbag theft but also taking her vehicle.

Officers also managed to lock up two offenders for breaching their licence conditions after being released from custody.

Two men, aged 40 and 45, were recalled to prison after being caught by our officers.

The officers also caught a 38-year-old man in Clumber Street after reports he was making people feel uncomfortable when he continued to put his hands down his pants and was making lewd gestures.

City Commander Superintendent Chris Pearson said:

"This was an excellent operation led by officers including PC Beardsmore and Sergeant Pothecary.

"We are all about working with our partners to target the root cause of offending such as drug and alcohol use.

"However, those who continue not to seek support and continue to target our businesses can expect to find themselves behind bars.

"This was the case with some of the recent arrests we have made in the city centre.

"For some of these offenders, they have continued to cause immense misery for our business community, even brazenly entering the city centre when they know they are not allowed to be there.

"Operation Reclaim has ensured that our officers are constantly on the lookout for these individuals and we won't stop until those causing the most harm to our city businesses are put behind bars and must change their destructive behaviour."