Number Of Arrests Made In Business Crime Initiative

A series of arrested have been made by police in L'Derry during a National Week of Action to reduce business crime.

Commenting on the initiative, Sergeant Walsh said: "As part of this, you'll see increased patrols and local officers and staff engaging with retailers and business owners. As a Police Service, we take business crime seriously and we're urging retailers and business owners to report all crime to us. It helps us identify offenders and build a picture of the areas they're targeting, which means we can co-ordinate our resources to tackle the issue and apprehend criminals."

Shortly after 11am on Tuesday, 18th October, City Centre Neighbourhood officers on patrol in Waterloo Place observed a male teenager acting suspiciously in a shop. Further enquiries resulted in the 17-year-old being arrested on suspicion of theft and he remains in custody assisting officers with enquiries.

On Monday 17th October, officers from the same Neighbourhood Team arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of theft from businesses premises in Lisnagelvin. He also remains in custody at this time.

A number of people have also been charged with theft offences this month in relation to incidents at local shops. Among those charged are a 16-year-old teenager with offences including theft, attempted theft, and common assault and he is due to appear before Londonderry Youth Court on 1st November. These charges are in relation to a report of theft at a shop in Waterloo Place on 28th May this year, and incidents reported at premises inside a shopping centre on 12th October.

As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Sergeant Walsh added: "The community will see increased, high visibility patrols by our officers in the city centre and Strabane town centre as we conduct planned operations, during this week of action. We're asking everyone to play their part in reducing business crime so our appeal is that if you're in a shop or in business premises, and you see something suspicious, report it to us. That piece of information can help us apprehend criminals, bring them before the Court and return stock to retailers."