Arrests have been made after police recovered a large quantity of Lego stolen from Lancaster city centre shops.
The haul of Lego - including Lego Star Wars and Super Mario characters - was taken from Game and The Entertainer in St Nicholas Arcades over the Christmas period.
Police arrested a man for handling stolen goods after recovering Lego from an address on the Vale in Lancaster, then made a further arrest for handling stolen goods in Lancaster.
Det Insp Adie Knowles spoke about the arrests on Beyond Radio on Tuesday night, during his regular 'Beyond the Beat' segment on The Resident.
"Generally speaking shoplifting has been on the rise for a little while, and usually towards the festive period there is an upturn," said Det Insp Knowles, pictured below.
"Specifically in Lancaster we had an upturn in certain shops, with a large quantity of Lego being stolen from a couple of city centre shops.
"We conducted a warrant under the Theft Act and recovered quite a lot of Lego at an address on the Vale where a chap was arrested for handling stolen goods.
"Then we made a further arrest in Lancaster and recovered further quantities of Lego. They were arrested for handling stolen goods."
Det Insp Knowles said the police's Operation Vulture is in place to tackle shoplifting to protect local businesses.
He said the detection rate on catching people was 18 per cent in 2023, and last year it was 43 per cent.
"We're trying to do our bit to try to keep businesses safe," he said.
"Having (community beat manager) PC Shaun Foster in the city centre is a great addition to the team. He likes being out on foot and local businesses and Lancaster BID will speak to him on a daily basis. It's that visible presence, trying to keep businesses safe."
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
