Police made 102 arrests in their Christmas crime crackdown in Huddersfield.
And that’s a big rise on the previous year.
The special offensive against shoplifters and muggers ran throughout December and saw extra police patrols and undercover officers working in the town centre.
They dealt with 76 shoplifting crimes, compared to 61 in 2014, and 26 crimes of thefts from the person, compared to 31 the previous year.
Huddersfield police are pleased with the success of their Christmas Initiative alongside other agencies and the town centre retail partnership.
Sgt Mandy Mellor co-ordinated the operation with activities in the period including test purchasing at off licences to ensure that there was no underage selling of alcohol, anti-drink driving campaigns, work with Pennine domestic violence carrying out work with victims and crime prevention re thefts from person and vehicle crime.
The number of muggings dropped 16.1% over the same period from last year and although recorded shoplifting crimes increased by 24.6%, officers believe this is down to the number of offenders caught committing crime and the good work of CCTV.
READ MORE:One hundred and fifty-five people charged with drink driving in West Yorkshire over December
READ MORE:Mad Friday lives up to its name in Huddersfield town centre
There is an extensive CCTV camera network throughout the town centre, as well as in most shops and businesses.
Insp Jon Dunkerley of Huddersfield Police said: “This operation was a real example of partnership working by all concerned, right from the volunteer Street Angels who support us every Saturday night into the early hours through to the town centre retail partnership and Kirklees Council.
“It has been fantastic to receive messages of thanks and praise from members of the public and retailers and I am pleased that my officers went some way to making the festive season a safe and prosperous one.
“Huddersfield has a vibrant and safe economy both on a day and a night but for the few that are intent on committing crime or disorder we will not tolerate it and positive action will always be taken.”
In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below. The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects. If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.
