Five suspected shoplifters have been arrested following thefts at different stores across Canterbury including Poundland, Tesco, M&S, Boots and Sports Direct. The arrests were made as part of ongoing work by police to tackle shoplifting in the city.
A team of plain clothes and uniformed Kent Police officers patrolled Canterbury on December 9, 10 and 13 to target potential thieves. A 35-year-old man was arrested in the city centre on December 9, was later charged with stealing £55 worth of steak from M&S on St George's Street. He was sent to court the following day and jailed for four months.
On the same day, a 39-year-old woman was arrested and later charged with stealing items from Poundland earlier that day. She was taken to court the following day and ordered to pay costs and complete a six month drug rehabilitation requirement.
A 44-year-old man was also arrested by plain clothed officers at M&S in Vauxhall Road on December 9. He has since been charged with theft of meat, assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage to a police car and cell. He is due in court later this month.
The last individual, a 34-year-old man was arrested in Gravel Walk on suspicion of stealing more than £300 worth of goods from Sports Direct, Boots and Tesco. He has been bailed while an investigation continues.
Community Policing Inspector Dan Fordom said: "My officers and I are determined to protect Canterbury's shops and their staff from the attention of thieves. I hope the work we are continuing to carry out shows we will take shoplifters off the streets and put them in front of a court as soon as we can.
"I warn anyone thinking of stealing from stores in the build-up to Christmas to think again: You will be caught and you will face justice."