On Thursday 12th February officers from Leith Community Team and the Retail Crime Task Force carried out a plain clothes operation in the Leith Walk area. They were supported by store detectives from Sainsburys and Scotmid, working in close partnership to detect and deter shoplifting. Store detectives from Scotmid spotted a prolific shoplifter and immediately notified police who were able to arrest her on 17 outstanding warrants for multiple retail crimes. A male was arrested at the same time as he was also wanted on warrant. Both are appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on the 13th of February. 

Police Officers then responded to a store detective who was being subjected to aggressive and confrontational behaviour from a male who had committed a theft. The male was apprehended by officers, charged with shoplifting and a protection of retail worker offence, and will appear at court on a later date. 

In a separate incident officers arrested another male who was subsequently charged with 17 incidents of shoplifting at various stores in Edinburgh. Further enquiries are also being made regarding a person being found in possession of what is believed to be stolen property. 

The #RetailCrimeTaskForce and local officers are committed to working with retailers and the public to tackle shoplifting and further days of action are planned in Edinburgh. If you have any information relating to shoplifting or the resale of stolen property please report this to the police or anonymously to #Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

#NotAVictimlessCrime