A woman was arrested at Westgate shopping centre during police patrols.

Officers from Oxford’s Neighbourhood Policing Team have begun conducting patrols in the shopping centre after an increase in reports of pickpockets and thefts.

As a result of the patrols, a woman was stopped, searched and then arrested for offences relating to theft on Friday.

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A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “This operation will be running all week and there will be an increased police presence in and around the area. If you do see us, come and say hello.”

In 2019, it was reported that more than 70 shoplifting offences in and around the Westgate Centre were being investigated by Thames Valley Police.

There were 150 crimes in and around the Westgate Centre between January and December 2018.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1