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."
Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash
