Thefts of many guises in Grantham are being targeted in a dedicated police operation.
Lincolnshire Police has launched Operation Calvert in a bid to crack down on shoplifting, distraction thefts and pickpocketing.
Heading the operation is community beat sergeant Dan Gilmore, who said officers are proactively walking around town to catch out thieves. He said: “We’ve already seen quite good results in terms of shoplifters being arrested after commiting offences, while uniformed officers are present.”
Shoppers are urged to follow simple safety advice such as shielding PIN numbers, keeping bags closed and collecting a free purse chain from Grantham Police Station.
There is another type of theft Sgt Gilmore is keen to crack down on. Gangs of men and women are travelling into town and entering premises handling money, asking assistants to change notes before swapping and making further requests to confuse and gain cash.
Call 101 to report an incident.