A suspected thief accused of snatching a woman’s handbag has been located and arrested within an hour. – after CCTV operatives teamed up with police. Police were alerted to a theft on Frederick Street in Sunderland, shortly before 1.45pm on Sunday.
It was reported that the 52-year-old victim was approached by another woman who threatened her, before demanding she handed over her handbag. The offender then fled from the scene on foot.
READ MORE: Woman stabbed partner in neck and chest in row over him buying beer in Sunderland
Officers were immediately deployed to the area and were given a detailed description of the suspect and what the handbag looked like. Thanks to this fast-time intelligence and using the city centre’s CCTV cameras – managed by Sunderland City Council – officers were soon led to a nearby address on Norfolk Street.
Officers forced entry to the property where a 39-year-old woman was placed in handcuffs. She has since been charged with theft and is due to appear before the courts later this month. Superintendent Kev Waring, of Northumbria Police, has today praised those involved for their swift response.
He said: “To have a suspect arrested and in the cells less than one hour after the initial theft was reported to us was an outstanding team effort.
“We were also able to locate the suspected stolen handbag and its contents, and reunite them with the victim. It was an excellent piece of policing and partnership working with the council’s CCTV operatives.
“I would also like to thank the witnesses at the scene who worked together with us, passing on key information, which meant we were able to hone in on our target in a nearby address.
“CCTV is a vital resource to policing that helps us to fight crime and keep people safe, day in and day out.
“We will continue to champion this technology, working together with our partners to ensure Sunderland, and the wider region, remains a safe place for residents and visitors alike.”
Councillor Kevin Johnston, Cabinet Member for Dynamic City of Sunderland City Council, said: “I’m really glad that the City Alarm and Emergency Centre was able to play its part in helping our colleagues at Northumbria Police to reunite the victim with her handbag in such a short space in time.
“The CCTV cameras play an important role in helping the City Council and our key partners to keep our communities safe and this is a great example of partnership working at its best.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20220710-0577.
READ MORE
- CCTV appeal after reports that gang drove van at Morrisons security guard and threatened staff at Tesco
- Full list of UK's worst airports for flight delays revealed as families plan summer holidays
- Will Young entertains the crowds at South Shields concert
- Perverts who appeared in North East courts for possession of indecent images
-
North East news LIVE: Reports of armed police at incident in Castletown
