Arrests in crackdown on shop theft

The operation included undercover officers patrolling shops across the town, as well as uniformed officers carrying out warrants to search properties for stolen goods and a team looking for any vehicles involved in theft from shops.

Retailers were also offered the opportunity to use a “cardboard cop” to assist with preventing shoplifting in stores. In other parts of the country, these cardboard cops are believed to have reduced shoplifting by up to 75 per cent.

Following the operation three men and two women from Doncaster were charged with theft. A local man was charged with drink-driving while another was found to have breached his bail conditions by entering a shop.

South Yorkshire Police have recorded an eight per cent increase in shoplifting offences across Doncaster, compared with the same three month period in 2011. A retail crime team was set up April this year with officers working closely with retailers to combat the problem.

Sgt Stuart Rowse said: “We detect eight out of 10 shoplifting offences in Doncaster and this can be attributed to the hard work of officers and crime prevention work with retailers. A number of uniformed and undercover police officers patrol the shops in Doncaster to protect business and communities. This is a clear message to all shoplifters who think they aren’t being watched.“