22 Oct 2024
A proactive initiative to tackle shoplifting in St Albans city centre and other shopping areas resulted in six arrests.
The Safer Business Action Week saw a dedicated team of plain clothed and high-visibility officers working with security staff at shops in St Albans city centre, Colney Fields shopping centre in London Colney and local shops including the Co-op in Cell Barnes Lane.
The aim of the operation was to target known prolific offenders and opportunist thieves.
Marc Harwood, 38, of Leavesden Road in Watford, was arrested on suspicion of theft from Marks and Spencer in St Peter’s Street at 12.30pm on Wednesday October 16 and subsequently charged with stealing food and drink. He has been ordered to pay £200 in fines, and £80 in court costs.
Marcus Irvine, 48, of Creighton Avenue, St Albans was arrested and charged with stealing a large quantity of meat from Tesco on 17 October. He is due at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on November 1.
Megan Messenger, 35, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of 10 shoplifting offences over the past few weeks. She has been bailed by St Albans
Magistrates’ Court with conditions not to attend a number of local stores. She is due back in court on November 21 for sentencing.
A 38-year-old woman from London and a 24-year-old man from Dagenham arrested for shoplifting from Boots in St Peter’s Street were given community resolutions. A 29-year-old woman, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and common assault and later released.
A 29-year-old man from Stevenage was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and is on police bail pending further enquiries. A large quantity of drugs, suspected to be cannabis, was recovered from the River Ver.
A small lock knife was also recovered in the city centre during the patrols.
