Eleven women arrested in ‘organised shoplifting’ crackdown

Eleven women have been arrested in a crackdown on high-value shoplifting across the East Midlands.

Police carried out raids at eight houses on the Broxtowe estate in Nottinghamshire on Thursday and Friday, seizing clothing, footwear and toiletries.

Derbyshire Police said the arrests were part of an operation to “target an organised group of shoplifters” across four counties.

A number of the 11 suspects – who have all since been bailed – were also detained in relation to drugs offences, weapons possession and making counterfeit currency, the force added.

Weapons and drugs were also found at some of the properties, the force added.

The suspects were detained on suspicion of committing a series of high-value shoplifting offences across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire between December 2024 and August 2025.

The arrests were made by dozens of officers from four forces, as part of an investigation led by Derbyshire Police’s neighbourhood acquisitive crime team.

Det Sgt Jesse Conquest told the BBC at least 20 high-value shoplifting incidents have been linked to a single network.

“They will come as a group then split up, then each individual will fill a shopping trolley. They will act in a way to distract staff,” he said.

“They will get into thousands of pounds’ worth of goods at a time. And then what we think is they are coming back and selling those goods for gain.”

Derbyshire Police began an investigation – dubbed Operation Brasas – after shop thefts in Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Belper, Chesterfield and the city of Derby.

Det Sgt Conquest said shoplifting was not a victimless offence, and that organised retail crime costed the UK economy an estimated £2bn.

“That loss is then getting put on to everyday goods and driving up the price at the checkouts for honest people,” he added.

He said organised shoplifting had forced some businesses to close and appealed to the public and retailers help the police dismantle gangs.

The first 10 suspects were arrested on suspicion of theft and involvement in organised crime.

They are aged between 17 and 63. Four of those women are suspected of further offences including making counterfeit currency, and possession of drugs and offensive weapons.

Police said officers also seized lock knives, a knuckle duster, a machete, a sheath knife and an extendable baton.

On Monday, a 35-year-old woman suspected of theft handed herself into the police. She was arrested before being bailed.