Two suspects have been charged following an investigation into the theft of large amounts of alcohol from Tesco supermarkets across the East Midlands.
The arrests were made in Nottingham on Tuesday 4 July 10 March after officers from the city centre Reacher team stopped two women in a vehicle.
A 44-year-old woman and a 39-year-old woman were each charged on Sunday 12 March with 18 counts of shoplifting.
The charges were brought following an investigation into reports of high-value shoplifting in Tesco stores in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire between 15 April 2023 and 3 July 2023.
The charges mostly relate to the theft of large amounts of alcohol, with clothing, meat products and washing products also stolen.
The total value of the thefts is estimated to be approximately £15,000.
The women appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 6 July where they were remanded in custody.
The case will next be heard at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday 3 August.
Sergeant Lou Ellis, of the Nottingham city centre Reacher team, said:
“We know the costly impact shoplifting can have on our local communities and businesses.
“I would like to reassure our local retailers that we will continue to proactively target those who commit offences of this nature. Victims of abuse, threats and violence carry those experiences with them for life and shoplifters reacting in this way is neither normal nor acceptable.
“We will continue to offer our support to local businesses to protect them from shop theft and assault, working together to prevent and drive down this kind of criminality.”
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