Travelling gang charged with shoplifting

Not on our patch.

Eagle-eyed staff at a store in Durham City alerted CCTV operators to a potential theft on Monday morning.

Officers from East Durham A Relief quickly intercepted the four suspects, who were also linked to three high-value shopliftings the previous week across the force area.

The three men, aged 21 to 23 and a boy aged 17, were taken into custody while officers from the East, West and South worked around-the-clock to gather the CCTV evidence needed to link them to a total of six shoplifting offences.

And it turned out the suspects were actually a travelling gang from London, targeting businesses up and down the country.

One of the men was also wanted by the Metropolitan Police for burglary in their area and after work from the Prison Handling Team, was also charged with that offence.

All four were charged and remanded.

They were put before Newton Aycliffe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 15.

Neighbourhood Inspector David Clarke said: “This is a great example of the strength that comes from partners and police working together to combat those who try to target the city centre and we’re particularly glad to see these four suspects being dealt with.

“While we are doing extra patrols as part of Safer Business Action Week, we are lucky to have a vibrant and well-attended Shopwatch scheme all-year-round which allows us to work with businesses to raise awareness of repeat offenders and see that seamless work between CCTV and the Shopwatch radio system.

“The members should be really proud of the work they continue to do to help us keep our communities safe.”