Yesterday evening (Monday 20th January 2025) officers were called to attend Sainsbury's on Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City following reports of two shoplifters having stolen three baskets full of produce. 

One of the males ran away upon police arrival and after a short foot pursuit he was arrested near the Railway Station for theft offences, two of the stolen baskets were then located by officers on Gernon Road. The male has since been bailed pending further enquiries. 

Later in the evening CCTV operators spotted the second male within the town centre still carrying the outstanding third basket of stolen goods, he was also subsequently arrested and has since been charged and remanded into custody. 

All stolen items were recovered and returned to Sainsbury's preventing over £400 of loss. 

We want to reiterate our message that shoplifting is not acceptable and we have a zero-tolerance policy to it regardless of the value of items taken and we continue to urge businesses to report all incidents to us, provide statements and CCTV evidence to support prosecutions.