Police officers in Preston made six arrests as they blended in with shoppers and store staff to target shoplifters.

On Good Friday (March 28), eight officers from the city centre and task force team carried out a plain-clothed operation. 

Throughout the day, officers, wearing plain clothes, carried out patrols on foot and bikes in the busy shopping areas of the city centre. 

A total of 11 people were stopped and searched and two of these were given a community resolution, while 10 stores were provided with reassurance visits. 

A total of six people were arrested, one of whom has since been charged.

Jaequarn Silcott, 19, of Oxford Street, Preston, is charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

Inspector Dave Byrne from the Preston Neighborhood Policing team said: “This was a really successful operation with some great results.

“We supported some of the highest-affected stores in Preston City Centre, and we will continue this work to stamp out shoplifting and hold the offenders to account."

Operation Vulture is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling shoplifting across the county.