NEIGHBOURHOOD police in Newton Abbot have been out and about in the town centre as part of a national week of action to tackle business crime. 

Officers spent a day conducting high visibility foot patrols in the town centre, talking to shop workers, security teams including Tom Hirst, who manages Newton Abbot Security Trust and members of the public. 

The aim was to develop a way to work together to address issues including shoplifting.

Safer Business Action Week came after one store reported the theft of popular Jellycat soft toys. 

The incident of high value shoplifting which specifically targeted the brand of toys is the latest in an upsurge in shoplifting offences.

A spokesman for Newton Abbot police said as inquiries were made into the toy thefts, it was revealed the suspect had travelled across three police force areas to commit a string of crimes. 

The spokesman added: ‘We travelled out of our force area to make an arrest of the suspect and searches of the property and vehicles recovered nearly 50 Jellycats but the total estimated stolen value is into the thousands and enquiries are still ongoing.

‘This pro-active engagement this week isn't a one off - the work to protect businesses continues across the year.

‘ The national week is an opportunity for us to continue to raise awareness of the work police do, along with our local partners, to keep communities safe.’

Nationally, shoplifting is at its highest level for 20 years while attacks on retail staff are also on the rise.