Wednesday 19 February 2025

Plain clothes police have begun to covertly patrol shops to thwart thieves in parts of Kirklees.

The Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team has said more work is planned after conducting undercover patrols at a large retailer in Birstall during the afternoon of 14 February.

Officers worked with staff to help improve instore security at the site and during patrols observed a man attempting to steal goods.

He was detained by officers, and later given a Community Resolution and banned from the store.

Two other persons seen acting suspiciously were also stopped and left the premises.

NPT officers have been working to reduce retail crime and anti-social behaviour in the Batley and Spen area in recent months with operations taking place in communities including Heckmondwike, Birstall and Liversedge.

In Heckmondwike, officers have been conducting high visibility patrols around supermarkets and have been targeting offenders suspected of involvement in anti-social behaviour and theft from shop offences.

Work with business continues and officers continue to seek to tackle suspects through all avenues available including arrest, directions to leave areas and Criminal Behaviour Orders.

Inspector Charlotte Nicholls of the Batley and Spen NPT, said: “We work closely with our retail partners in Batley and Spen and want to do all we can to help them keep staff and shoppers safer and deter theft and ASB in stores and town centres.

“Experience has shown that plain clothes patrols can be highly effective as our recent operation demonstrated.

“Thieves should be aware these patrols could take place in any store at any time in business hours and if they are tempted to steal, there could be an undercover officers watching around the corner.”

She added: “Anyone who has information about shoplifting or anti-social behaviour in retail centres in the Batley and Spen area can always contact the NPT via 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat

“It can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”