A 45-year-old man is in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of a blade in Sutton Coldfield this morning.
Morning Incident on Penns Lane
The arrest followed an incident at a shop on Penns Lane. Officers from the New Hall and Four Oaks neighbourhood team reported spotting a man acting suspiciously at the premises shortly before 9am on Monday, January 12.
Police detained the individual outside the store. During the detention, officers recovered a number of stolen items along with a small blade.
Police Statement and Charges
West Midlands Police confirmed the arrest in a statement issued today. A spokesperson said: "A man’s been arrested after officers recovered stolen items and a blade in Sutton Coldfield."
The man was formally arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop and possession of a bladed article. He was taken into custody for questioning, where he remains.
Ongoing Efforts Against Business Crime
In their statement, police reiterated their commitment to tackling retail crime across the region. "We’re working hard with our partners to tackle business crimes like shop theft in Sutton and across the West Midlands," the force said.
The police also directed local business owners to their online resources for crime prevention advice, highlighting their dedicated business crime pages.
This arrest forms part of a wider operational focus on shoplifting and related offences, which have seen increased priority from police forces nationally.
