A POLICE chief has warned that "the lockdown will not see criminals get away with their crimes" after two people were arrested on suspicion of stealing from a supermarket in Worcester.

Superintendent Stephanie Brighton (pictured), Worcestershire's Local Policing Commander, made the comment following a theft at a supermarket near Worcester's Foregate Street rail station on Wednesday.

A 48-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman from Kidderminster were arrested at Foregate Street station on the afternoon of April 16 on suspicion of theft from a supermarket.

They were later voluntarily interviewed and the investigation is ongoing.

Following this incident, Supt Brighton said: “Since the Covid-19 legislation came into place there has been a reduction in crime here and across the country. However, this does not mean we are being complacent; we are, as always, being proactive in both detecting and preventing offences.

"Our resource levels remain in a strong position and the lockdown will not see criminals get away with their crimes.

“We are also mindful that we may see a rise in some types of offences such as domestic abuse and I would like to encourage anyone that does not feel safe in their own home to contact with us – we are still here for you and we will do everything we can to ensure you are supported."

Earlier this month, thieves exploited the lockdown to target the cars of two nurses working at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Saturday April 4.

During their 13-hour shift at the city's hospital, the catalytic convertors from their cars were stolen while parked in the staff car park.

Chief Superintendent Harding said at the time: “Crimes such as this are awful at the best of times, but to target NHS staff in the current climate is truly abhorrent. An investigation is underway and we are doing all we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Talking about people who have breached the lockdown rules, Chief Supt Harding added: “The good news is that it is the minority and most people are behaving respectfully and legally, showing real community spirit.

"However, where needed we can use enforcement, including the new coronavirus legislation if appropriate, to protect workers and the public, and we are clear that incidents such as spitting at others will be met with an incredibly robust response by police and we will arrest people and put them before the court.

" We are also able to target anyone who is out and about in our community seeking to cause harm, we have seen a number of proactive arrests showing that we can ensure that both the current rules are being complied with and that we continue to target other criminality."