SHOPLIFTERS across Amber Valley are being targeted by police as part of a new crackdown.
Operation Antler, which is being piloted throughout Ripley and Heanor, will see officers carrying out increased patrols around town centres in the run up to Christmas.
Officers will be undercover and uniformed throughout the operation in a bid to deter thieves and catch shoplifters in the act.
PC Rich Marshal said: "Operation Antler is all about helping to reduce shop thefts over the festive period, catching those responsible and bringing them to justice for the crimes they have committed.
"We will be sending out messages through our Twitter account to help keep local people up to date with the initiative.
"We will also be asking members of the public to help us to identify people that we would like to speak to in connection with thefts by sharing CCTV images.
"These can also be found on the Caught on Camera page of the police website.
"The operation is only in the early stages but we have already arrested a woman on suspicion of theft and we will continue to work and tackle the issue of shoplifting."
At around 2.30pm on Wednesday a woman entered the Peacocks Store in High Street, Ripley.
She placed clothing from the shop into her bag and then left without offering payment.
An officer, who was carrying out patrols in the area at the time, was alerted to the incident over the Shopwatch radio system.
A 42-year-old woman was arrested in the area a short time later on suspicion of theft and has since been bailed pending further police inquiries.
