Police and shopping centre security detain Sainsbury’s alcohol shoplifter in Jackson Square

A 39-year-old man is in police custody following a shoplifting incident in Bishop’s Stortford town centre on Monday (October 16).

Around a dozen officers in four vehicles descended on Sainsbury’s in Jackson Square after police were called at around 2.50pm.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said on Tuesday morning: “It was alleged that a man had attempted to steal bottles of alcohol from the store and was challenged by staff before being detained. The alcohol was recovered.

“A 39-year-old man from Stanstead Abbotts has been arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop and remains in police custody at this time.”

An eyewitness told the Indie: “A PCSO had to take the chap down inside the store, with the help of Jackson Square security. Security walked up to him while he was on the floor and banned him from the centre!

“It looked like Jack Daniels whiskey and vodka in the chap’s backpack.”

Another commented: “They were holding a man to the ground. There was shouting. One officer was in store with the security detaining him, then another 11 – yes, 11 – officers ran past to get to Sainsbury’s.

“I couldn’t help thinking what a waste of police time if someone actually needed help. Twelve officers for one guy.”