More than 30 arrests were made during a dedicated campaign to stamp out retail crime across Cheshire.

Cheshire Police carried out Operation Watchmaker earlier this month as part of a national week of action from the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships.

Their efforts resulted in 32 arrests including 29 for shoplifting, two for robbery and one for breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Meanwhile, 49 charges for individual offences were secured across the week, with 17 community resolutions handed out along with two youth restorative disposals.

Chief Inspector Dan Reynolds said: "I am incredibly proud of the work our officers have put into this week of action.

"It has resulted in some fantastic results, including 32 arrests, multiple charges, plus valuable engagement with businesses and shoppers.

"The impact of retail crime cannot be underestimated and this national week of action from the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships is a testament to our collective ongoing efforts to tackle this issue head-on.

"While Operation Watchmaker may have concluded, this was just a snapshot of the policing tactics we use every day to help tackle shoplifting and other crimes against businesses.

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"So, rest assured, our fight against those who choose to cause misery to local businesses continues."

During the week, which ran from Monday, March 16, to Sunday, March 22, high visibility patrols were carried out across all major retail parks and town centres in Cheshire.

Officers engaged with security staff, business partners and members of the public, while encouraging retailers to join the force's 'Report and Support' campaign.

This involves retailers not only reporting incidents of shoplifting and other crime, but also supporting the police investigation by ensuring images and videos of suspects or other visual evidence - captured on CCTV or security staff's body worn cameras - are submitted to police.

Images or videos which show suspects' faces enable officers to use retrospective facial recognition technology to help identify those involved, increasing the chances of those responsible being prosecuted.