Dear Residents,

As part of Safer Business Action (SaBA) week, Northamptonshire Police is highlighting the work that goes on year-round to tackle retail and business crime.

Since the national awareness week kicked off yesterday (Monday, October 14), the Force has already made 10 proactive arrests of people wanted in connection with shoplifting and other retail-based crimes.

As well as work to find and arrest outstanding suspects, dedicated retail crime-focused patrols are also taking place across the county throughout the week, alongside retailer and shopper engagement sessions and surgeries.

Sergeant Sharan Wildman, of the Force’s Retail Crime Team, said: “Arrests are part and parcel of everyday life for us, but SaBA week gives us the opportunity to shine a light onto what we do and why we do it.

“Our team work hard to bring together evidence packages so that when someone is brought into custody, we have everything we need to ensure charges and court appearances follow swiftly afterwards. The CCTV and statements we secure often also mean offenders realise they have no option but to admit what they’ve done, so they can be sentenced quickly as well.

“We’re very familiar with the people out causing repeated issues for our retail communities. These arrests help to illustrate how tirelessly we’re working to protect shops and businesses, as well as offering them our help and support.”