Bobby-in-the-Lobby deters shoplifters

A scheme to crack down on thieves and shoplifters in Leeds in the run up to Christmas has been hailed a success.

The Bobby in the Lobby initiative by North West Leeds Police put officers in the entrance to some of the city's main shopping centres to reassure shoppers and deter thieves in the two weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

At the Owlcotes Centre in Pudsey, reports of shoplifting and purse thefts were halved compared to the same period last year. Inspector Richard Cawkwell, who heads the West Outer Neighbourhood Policing team, said: "We received a lot of very positive feedback from retailers and members of the public and the significant reduction in incidents speaks for itself."

Read the rest of this item from the Yorkshire Evening Post here