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Plain-clothed police in shoplifting crack down

George King
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Getty Images A close-up of an unidentified woman in a supermarket putting a bottle of wine into a brown handbag.Getty Images
Arrests were made during "days of action" by police in Stevenage

A police force is taking action against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour at a town's shopping precincts and retail parks.

Patrols from Hertfordshire Police have arrested five people on suspicion of theft in Stevenage as part as Operation Enthral.

Plain-clothed and uniformed officers focussed on The Oval, a shopping precinct where outlets include branches of Tesco Express and a Co-op.

"Anti-social behaviour and retail crime continues to be an issue in Stevenage and tackling this is one of our local policing priorities," said Insp Will Rogers Overy.

A close-up image of a Hertfordshire Police car window which shows the force's emblem against a blacked-out window.
Hertfordshire Police says shoplifting is "not a victimless crime"

"Retail theft has an impact in terms of putting pressure on prices and there is the negative impact it can have on the people who work and shop in the stores.

"There is also evidence to link stolen goods with drug crime," he added.

The town centre in Stevenage. It shows a square with a large clock and a water fountain. The square is surrounded by shops. Shoppers are wandering through the square.
Plain-clothed police officers patrolled the town centre in Stevenage (pictured), as well as the Oval shopping precinct

"In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to monitor hotspot areas and expect more arrests to be made," said Insp Rogers Overy.

"Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we want people to feel that shopping precincts are safe places to work and visit."

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