Three women arrested on suspicion of shoplifting as Op Hotspot Patrols continue

Three women have been arrested on suspicion of theft and going equipped to steal, as Neighbourhood Officers continue to carry out hotspot patrols in key areas.

The arrests were made on Sunday 19 January, at around 3.10pm in the Westgate Centre. Local officers carrying out extra patrols in the town, were alerted by a member of the public, to a theft from a store and were able to provide descriptions of the suspects.

The women were quickly traced and after being stopped and searched were subsequently arrested.

PC Jack Pickering said: “We’d like to thank the members of the public who reported this activity to us and were able to provide us with information to enable us to make an arrest.

“Operation Hot Spot patrols are being carried out on top of normal daily business patrols, targeting specific areas which have been identified as crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots.”

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The women have been released on police bail while the investigation progresses.