Officers from Rochdale North Neighbourhood were on retail crime hot spot patrols on the afternoon of Monday 30th December when they saw a male being chased out of Dunelm Store on Whitworth Road by their security guard. The officers gave chase on foot onto Haynes street where they temporarily lost sight of the male. 

A community spirited member of the public who was passing in their car spun round and informed the officers that the male had jumped over a wall into Richmond Hall and was hiding. The male was found in the car park and was arrested on suspicion of theft after suspected stolen property worth over £200 was found in his possession.

The male was arrested and taken to custody where it was discovered that he was wanted for a theft at B & Q in Ashton where it is alleged he had stolen goods to the value of around £1300. 

The male was charged with both offences and remanded to Manchester Magistrates on Tuesday 31st December.

Retails crime is one of the priorities your local neighbourhood teams deal with and we will always try to take positive action when offenders are identified, it is not a victimless crime, thefts push prices up for genuine customers, staff will often face abuse and even assaults from these individuals and the money is often used to buy drugs so can end up in the hands of organised crime groups.

We would like to thank the public spirited members of the public in the car who assisted officers in locating the male it undoubtedly ensured we were able to detain and arrest him swiftly.

Sgt Walsh - Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team.