Police highlight 'favourite' store of shoplifters

Shoplifters have targeted a Wolverhampton supermarket four times in just two weeks, police revealed today as they released CCTV images of men they are trying to trace.

Officers said Tesco Express on Willenhall Road "appears to be a favourite" among thieves at the moment. In one attack, a member of staff was pushed to the ground as a thief fled with more than £60 of bacon.

Click on the image on the right to see more pictures.

Another CCTV image shows a suspect leaving the store in a distinctive bright purple puffa jacket.

Thieves have struck at the supermarket four times this month on the 1st, 7th, 8th and 14th. Pc Stewart Stirling, from Bilston Police Station, said today: "This particular store appears to be a favourite for shoplifters this month but we are determined to catch them.

"The CCTV is of good quality and I would ask anyone who recognises the people in these images to get in touch with us.

"I also want to send out a message to shoplifters that we do thoroughly investigate all offences, no matter how minor they may think their crimes are."

In one of the thefts, at around 1,50pm on December 14, the shoplifter pushes a member of staff out of the way as he flees the premises with £63 worth of bacon.

In another of the images, a young man wearing a dark blue puffa jacket with a light blue zip leaves the store after allegedly stealing.

Anyone who recognises the men in the images should call police on the new non-emergency telephone number 101.

Alternatively, people can ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.