Police ramp up patrols in Maidenhead amid thefts from High Street shops

Thames Valley Police has ramped up patrols for Christmas period, the force said, amid several thefts from shops in Maidenhead High Street.

A woman was arrested on suspicion of stealing more than £2000 worth of valuables on Monday, after police were alerted by staff in Marks and Spencer to a ‘known shoplifter’.

The arrest followed more thieving from the Vodafone branch in High Street on Saturday, where a group of men ransacked the mobile phone shop for high-value items.

Thames Valley Police said residents and business owners ‘will see an increase in patrol activity and visibility’ from officers as part of efforts to combat crime this month.

A police van outside M&S in Maidenhead High Street where a woman was arrested

On Monday, the force said that two police community support officers (PCSOs) had been alerted by M&S staff there was a ‘known shoplifter’ inside the shop.

A statement said: “Earlier today whilst PCSOs Miller and Knight were at M&S for have your say engagement, staff alerted the PCSOs there was a known shoplifter in store.

“The female was quickly located & detained, officers from Maidenhead NHPT [neighbourhood policing team] arrived & arrested her on suspicion of a previous theft valued at over £2000.

“She was also concealing over £100 of suspected stolen clothing items & will be questioned over this as well.”

The statement added officers had also ‘been busy dealing with a group of teenagers’ who were responsible for ‘significant’ antisocial behaviour in the town earlier in December.

Vodafone was restricting the number of people allowed into its High Street branch on Tuesday 

An investigation has also been launched after a group of men stole from Vodafone in Maidenhead High Street over the weekend.

Thieves stole items of stock from the electronics shop, as well as the mobile phone of a man in his 20s.  No arrests have yet been made, the force said.

Anyone with information on the thefts has been urged to contact police and quote the reference number 43250645476, or make a report anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A police spokesperson told the Advertiser: “Officers were made aware of reports of a theft incident on Saturday (20/12) at a property on High Street, Maidenhead.  

“A group of men came into the property, caused damage, stole several items of stock and the personal mobile of one victim, a man in his twenties.  

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are still ongoing.”  

Police have also responded to worries over the potential for rising crime in the build-up to Christmas, as shoppers head out to buy last-minute gifts for the festive period.

A spokesperson said the force ‘expect an increase in footfall’ in Maidenhead town centre and, while ‘data does not show a rise in retail crime’, work would be ongoing to crackdown on crime.

The spokesperson added: “Our neighbourhood team is running retail crime operations throughout December and the force is taking part in the winter of action period where you will see an increase in patrol activity and visibility from our local teams.

“We have also begun an operation called Operation Purchase which is an overarching strategy to tackle retail crime across the Thames Valley.”