Four arrests have been made as part of a shoplifting crackdown by police in Preston.

Three were arrested for shoplifting, while one of those has since been charged with theft from a shop and another found to be in breach of sex offender notification requirements.

A fourth person was arrested for breach of a community order.

In addition to this, 10 people were stopped and searched, with three of those being given a community resolution.

The arrests come as part of Operation Sabotage, Lancashire Police's response to targeting prolific shoplifters.

Officers from the city centre team and Preston task force have been carrying out patrols, including being out on bicycles and doing plain-clothed operations.

Inspector Dave Byrne from Preston's neighbourhood policing team said: “Shoplifters wreak misery on our local communities and their crimes are not victimless. We will not tolerate it in Preston and that’s why we have stepped up patrols in hotspot areas where shoplifting is more prevalent.

"I would encourage businesses and members of the public to continue to report these crimes to us to ensure that we can tackle them robustly.”