POLICE arrested nine people in a single day as part of a clampdown on crime in Carlisle city centre.

The force says that offenders were caught committing a range of offences, including theft, drugs, and a breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Officers carried out the day of action - called Operation Noble - in the city on Wednesday.

A range of covert and high-visibility policing tactics were used in the clamp down on offenders.

According to Cumbria Police, retail theft more often than not goes to fund the offenders drug habit while the CBO is put in place to try and prevent prolific offenders from entering retail premises to commit the crime.

Sergeant Lewis Powell said: “We will continue to regularly work alongside our Carlisle Shopwatch scheme and Carlisle Retailers against Crime group to target prolific retail theft offenders and to address associated city centre crime.

“Criminal Behaviour Orders are sought when persistent offenders are dealt with at court, as a means of preventing further offending.”

Following the day of action, police took the following steps:

  • A 35-year-old man from Carlisle was given a fixed penalty for shoplifting.
  • A 23-year-old woman from Carlisle, has been reported for theft.
  • A 36-year-old man from Carlisle, has been reported for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.
  • A 38-year-old woman from Carlisle, has been reported for theft.
  • A 32-year-old woman from Carlisle, has been reported for theft.
  • A 34-year-old man from Carlisle was reported for possession of Class B drug Valium.
  • A 53-year-old man from Carlisle was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and common assault. He has been released under investigation.
  • A 35-year-old woman from Carlisle, has been reported for theft.
  • A 17-year-old man from Wigton was arrested on suspicion of theft. He has been released under investigation.

Operation Noble, which has been running for past 18 months, has been targeting the city centre, mainly due to the Shopwatch Scheme, which is based in the city’s stores.

The operation, which is set to continue to be carried out in the city, is a joint effort involving police officers, police community support officers and supporters who run the Shopwatch scheme.