POLICE have made a number of arrests in their Christmas crackdown in Huddersfield against pickpockets and thieves.
And some of those detained have already been banned from the town centre.
Undercover officers are working in the busy shopping areas and streets to try and catch people stealing from shoppers.
They are backed by an extra number of patrol officers wearing high-vis uniforms.
Now police have confirmed the operation to deter and apprehend shoplifters and purse dippers in Huddersfield in the run up to Christmas has seen a number of arrests and individuals banned from the town centre.
Significant arrests include a 29-year-old woman, who has been wanted by the Metropolitan Police since 2010.
She was arrested by plain clothes officers and security staff at Sainsbury’s store in Market Street on suspicion of stealing an 84-year-old woman’s purse. The woman was charged and remanded in custody.
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Two men, both aged 32, have been charged in connection with shoplifting offences at Marks and Spencers and Morrisons My Local. One of the males has taken other offences into consideration. Under their bail conditions, they have been banned from Huddersfield town centre until December 22 when they are due to appear at Kirklees Magistrates Court.
A 58-year-old woman has been charged with a theft from the Farm Foods store and has been given bail conditions to not enter the store until December 22 when she is also appearing at court. Other alleged offences at Yorkshire Linen Company, The Works, Age UK, Argos and the Huddersfield Town Shop have been taken in to consideration.
Sgt Mandy Mellor, of Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, is co-ordinating the big operation.
She said: “We hope the policing operation and arrests we have made are demonstrating to perspective shoplifters and purse dippers that it is not worth the risk committing offences here in Huddersfield town centre.
“We have had some really positive comments from both businesses and members of the public on the increased presence of officers and will be continuing the operation in to the new year.”
