Police arresting alleged shoplifter detain second man while leaving same shop

20 November 2024, 19:44 | Updated: 20 November 2024, 20:38

Officers arresting a man with a rucksack full of over-the-counter medication detained a second person in the same shop for allegedly stealing meat.

The officers were on their way to work when they arrested the first man on suspicion of shoplifting from a Sainsbury's store in Bethnal Green, east London.

The Metropolitan Police's Tower Hamlets unit said the man was found with 39 boxes of over-the-counter medication, and 13 bars of chocolate, worth a total of £280.

Officers were about to leave the shop with the man when they made a second arrest - of a man allegedly attempting to steal over £50 of meat.

Both men were charged and remanded in custody to appear in court.

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It comes as an exclusive Sky News and Association of Convenience Stores survey revealed that 80% of shopkeepers reported a retail crime within a week in October.

The poll also found 94% of shopkeepers say that in their experience, shoplifting has got worse over the last year, with 83% not confident the police will take action against the perpetrators of retail crime on their premises.

(c) Sky News 2024: Police arresting alleged shoplifter detain second man while leaving same shop