A TEENAGE girl has been banned from TK Maxx after being caught shoplifting.

This is just one of the latest results in Operation Hamper — a crackdown on crime in the city centre by police this Christmas.

On November 29, a 15-year-old girl was banned from TK Maxx after she was caught shoplifting. The same girl was detained for stealing from a market stall in the Market Place on December 3, and has been referred to the Youth Restorative Intervention panel.

A man was arrested at TK Maxx in Queen Street on December 12 after a handbag was stolen. Stuart Drake, 53, of no fixed address, has been charged with theft and is due in Salisbury Magistrates Court on January 3, 2020.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on December 4 following coordinated use of the ShopWatch radio system following a report of the theft of electrical items from TK Maxx. He has been interviewed in connection with four incidents of theft, criminal damage and assaulting an officer and has since been released under investigation.

A man in his 40s was interviewed in connection with the theft of alcohol from Sainsburys yesterday.

As part of the operation, officers attended the ShopWatch meeting in the city centre alongside colleagues from Salisbury City Council and Salisbury BID and say they were pleased to see new shop owners attending for the first time.

Inspector Pete Sparrow said: “Our Community Policing Teams are now equipped with the ShopWatch/PubWatch radios to allow us to communicate directly with city centre partners, CCTV operators and security teams, enabling a far more efficient and joined up response to issues within the city centre.

"Since Operation Hamper has been running we have seen an increase in the use of the ShopWatch scheme to report incidents and intelligence which is really positive.

“On December 5, PC Jack Billington led an operation in the city centre to coincide with the late night shopping hours, and this involved the use of plain clothes officers visiting shops and supermarkets, liaising with security and shop managers to ensure any issues were dealt with swiftly.

“Again, I am sure this weekend will be another busy one for Salisbury – please ensure you report any suspicious activity to us via 101, or 999 in an emergency, and do not be alarmed if you see officers out and about patrolling – they are there to keep you safe.”

Officers will be attending the Wilton Christmas Lights Switch On this evening, and the Downton event tomorrow.