Photo Credits: West Yorkshire Police

By KLTV Newsdesk –

Police step up patrols in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, with shoplifters and drug suspects among those detained

Police teams targeting crime in two Kirklees town centres have made 17 arrests in a focused crackdown aimed at protecting businesses and improving public safety.

Officers from dedicated town centre teams in Huddersfield and Dewsbury carried out the arrests from Saturday onwards, detaining suspects for offences including assault, drug dealing and shoplifting as part of an ongoing initiative to support retailers and make both towns safer.

Nine of the arrests were made on Monday (2 March) alone, as officers intensified their activity in the area.

Shoplifting and drugs offences targeted

Among those arrested were three women and five men on suspicion of shoplifting, as well as a man suspected of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

A woman who was wanted for further offending was also recalled to prison.

The latest action forms part of continued winter operations in both towns.

In Huddersfield, officers have again deployed in plain clothes, working alongside Kirklees BID and security staff from town centre stores to target prolific shoplifters.

In Dewsbury, additional high-visibility evening patrols have also been maintained to deter criminality and reassure the public.

Working with businesses and partners

Officers from the Dewsbury Proactive Town Centre Team have also been engaging with local businesses, including attending an event focused on the refurbishment of the Arcade in the town.

Police met with partners, including Safer Kirklees and Huddersfield BID, to offer advice on crime prevention and town centre safety.

Sergeant George Rawlinson of the Dewsbury Proactive Town Centre Team, said:

“The town centre teams were formed to target offenders and also help protect businesses against offending, and our work continues to do exactly that.

“The winter period has seen officers make large numbers of arrests week in and week out, and we are continuing to investigate, build cases and put suspects before courts, with some immediately recalled to prison.

“We are also working closely with our partners, including at Safer Kirklees and Huddersfield BID, to support shops to boost their own crime prevention.

“New developments in Dewsbury such as the refurbishment of the Arcade are offering great new opportunities to boost trading and the town centre generally and we want to do all we can to support them.”

PC James Hemsley of the Huddersfield Proactive Town Centre Team added:

“The positive response we continue to receive from residents and business owners shows they really support our ongoing arrest activity, and I again want to thank all those who contact with us intelligence. It can be crucial in helping us hunt down those who are wanted for offending which harms our town centres.

““If you have information about criminal or anti-social activity in either town, then please get in touch to assist us in putting resources where they need to be.

“Information can always be reported on 101, online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. “