The Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team has taken positive action against some of the town's most prolific shoplifters.

Recently four people were arrested, charged, and appeared before the courts in connection with numerous shoplifting offences.

Kevin James McClarnon, aged 46, was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison and issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from a number of shops in Cheltenham.

Emily Dixon, aged 38, was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison and issued with a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning her from a number of shops in Cheltenham.

Kirsten Wilkinson, aged 32, was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and also issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning her from a number of shops in Cheltenham.

Alisha Parke, aged 35, had an existing Criminal Behaviour Order extended and was also issued with a 12-month community order.

The Criminal Behaviour Order bans her from all retail premises in Cheltenham with the exception of: Iceland on Coronation Square, Farmfoods on Edinburgh Place, Sports Direct at Gallagher Retail Park, Sainsbury's at Gallagher Retail Park, Badham Pharmacy on Swindon Road and Tewkesbury Road Post Office.

These outcomes follow investigations by officers into shoplifting offences which were committed across the town.

PC Will Hayes from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We are more than aware that police have been criticised for not doing enough to tackle a recent rise in shoplifting offences being committed across the country.

"The Town Centre team have worked tirelessly and expeditiously in bringing four of Cheltenham's most prolific shoplifters to justice over recent weeks and months.

"Their repeat offending and disregard for the law has caused untold stress for our local businesses along with a huge drain of resources.

"Whilst there is always more that can be done, along with there being a much bigger picture to the matter, we hope that all of our hard work shows local residents and partner agencies that we do take shoplifting seriously and will continue to do our best to secure convictions for the most prolific."

Anyone who sees McClarnon, Dixon, Wilkinson or Parke breaching their Criminal Behaviour Order is asked to call police on 101.

It's recently been National Safer Business Action Week and officers worked with partner agencies such as Cheltenham BID and Cheltenham Safe to help tackle anti-social behaviour and shoplifting at local businesses.