Police launch shoplifting crackdown in Ely in run up to Christmas
EXTRA police patrols will be carried out in Ely throughout December in a bid to crackdown on shoplifting.
The city usually experiences a rise in thefts from shops and stores during the festive period – officers say that last December there were 19 offences recorded in the city compared with a monthly average of four or five.
To combat the rise, dedicated patrols will be carried out by officers in the run-up to December 25.
Plain-clothed officers will also be on duty to catch anyone using the Christmas crowds to steal items from stores.
Sergeant Will Davis said: “Shoplifting is an issue in the run-up to Christmas when stores and shops get very busy.
You may also want to watch:
“Thieves think they can get away with helping themselves to the stock, but we will have officers out in force as a deterrent and also to catch offenders.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime as it ultimately drive up prices for everyone else because companies have to replace stock and invest in security. It will not be tolerated and we will continue to target those involved in such criminality.”
Most Read
- 1 Tributes paid to school matron who died from Covid-19
- 2 Health scare inspired slimmer’s incredible 10 stone weight loss
- 3 Student defies challenges of pandemic to achieve first class degree
- 4 The Chase contestant from Cambs labelled ‘most stunning’ in show’s history
- 5 County council ploughs £3.4m into farm deal
- 6 Policing stepped up to tackle criminal damage and anti-social behaviour
- 7 Alcohol shoplifter threatened security staff with large blade
- 8 Dad's emotional tribute after baby son dies in A10 horror crash
- 9 Van crashes into pram, killing five month old baby
- 10 London man jailed for running drugs line between Cambs and capital
The initiative is the latest tactic in Operation Wicket – a crackdown on shoplifting in East Cambridgeshire.
