Plain-clothes police to target city shoplifters in the run up to Christmas

Humberside Police says in total over 1000 extra police hours will be dedicated to stopping shoplifting and anti-social behaviour across the city.

Operation Yuletide, which targets the city centre, involves 856 additional hours, with officers from Riverside Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Community Reassurance Team and Special Police Constables, patrolling the streets, including some in plain clothes.

To the north of the city, a separate initiative, Operation Apple will cover the area around Kingswood Retail Park and North Point Shopping Centre and will run until January 4.

Humberside Police say the extra high visibility patrols will become a regular sight as the shopping season gets into full swing.

Inspector Lee Edwards from Riverside NPT said: “Thieves often see the run up to Christmas as a time when they can steal from shops and take people’s wallets without being seen.

“To combat this Operation Yuletide will result in an increased number of officers and PCSOs on patrol to deter thieves and where thefts occur catch those responsible for offences.”

Police say they will deal swiftly with public drunkenness, disorder, and aggressive or persistent begging in conjunction with Hull Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Team.

Officers will use the council’s Civic CCTV network to follow and track known offenders.

The increased city centre patrols are partly funded by Hull’s Business Improvement District.