Two charged after jewellery theft and stolen bike incidents across Sefton

Two people have been charged following separate business-related crimes in Sefton, including a jewellery theft in Southport and a stolen bike incident in Bootle.

On Monday 13 April, jewellery was stolen from Henry Pidduck Jewellers on Lord Street in Southport. The following day, Tuesday 14 April, police received a report of two women acting in suspicious circumstances at the same location. Officers from the Southport Town Centre Team, who were already nearby on foot patrol, detained the women, with one arrested on suspicion of theft.

Lindsay Hutchins, 38, of Leicester Street, Southport, has since been charged with theft in connection with the Monday incident. She has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Sefton Adult Remand Court today, Wednesday 15 April.

In a separate incident, on Wednesday 8 April, a member of staff at a warehouse in Bootle reported that his bike had been stolen from his workplace. At around 2pm on Tuesday 14 April, the victim spotted his bike being ridden along Stanley Road and contacted police. Officers attended and at 2.20pm a man was detained.

Alexander Porter, 47, of Sussex Road, Southport, has been charged with burglary other than dwelling. He has also been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Wirral Adult Remand Court today, Wednesday 15 April.

Sefton Area Commander Karl Baldwin said: “We are keenly aware of the harm burglary and theft can cause towards individuals and businesses, particularly in our town centres and shopping parks, which is why we are treating it as a priority. The introduction of the Southport Town Centre Team and the launch of the Merseyside Anti Social Behaviour Partnership are evidence of our commitment.

“Merseyside Police recently implemented our new operating model, and we are already seeing the benefits on the frontline. Having additional neighbourhood policing officers across the force allows us to provide a faster and more effective response, serving local needs. The smart police work in both of these arrests demonstrates the power of greater local knowledge, and the availability of our officers to tackle these issues. I am sure that those communities will be pleased to see such positive action being taken.

“If you have any information on crime in Sefton, come forward and we will ensure our officers continue to be in the right places to respond.”

Anyone who witnesses a crime in progress should always call 999. For non emergency information, contact Merseyside Police via social media or call 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.