A CRACKDOWN on theft from retailers across the county is continuing to prove a success after 18 people were charged with 52 shoplifting offences.

There were four individuals arrested in Harlow, three detained in Thurrock and Basildon, and two in each of Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend.

One man was charged with 15 shoplifting offences in Epping Forest, while 11 of the charges related to thefts in Harlow, which has seen one man issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Two other people were arrested and subsequently released on bail, and an offender in Basildon was issued a caution.  

Five of those arrested in the last seven days also tested positive for Class A drugs.

Sergeant Christian Denning of the Business Crime Team said: “We want retail staff to report theft, anti-social behaviour and assaults as it gives us evidence of patterns of offending.

“The number of charges we have brought against individuals in the last seven days shows how seriously we take this issue.

“We want our high streets to be safe for visitors and shop workers which is why we are targeting the individuals responsible for repeated thefts by applying for criminal behaviour orders and limiting their ability to reoffend.”