A CRACKDOWN on shoplifting in Braintree has led to multiple arrests.

Essex Police officers arrested 19 people on suspicion of shoplifting across the county, including two in Braintree, between November 6 and 12.

All but two of these were subsequently charged with theft offences and other related matters, and officers are seeking criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) against three of them.

Sgt Christian Denning, of the business crime team, says officers review every shoplifting case and consider seeking a CBO where it would help to protect retailers from repeated abuse.

“Criminal behaviour orders can also be issued with conditions intended to get offenders the support they need to change their behaviour and remove the need to commit crime,” he explained.

“They also set out to protect retail staff and customers by setting out restrictions to prevent offenders from entering stores they have been targeting.”

It is an offence to breach the terms of a CBO and courts can impose a maximum sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, for an adult convicted of breaching them.

Cases involving two people arrested last week are still being investigated.

Six people arrested also tested positive for Class A drugs.