Man charged following shoplifting incident in Lewes

A man has been charged following a reported shoplifting incident in Lewes.

Police were called at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 5 May, after staff at Waitrose in Eastgate Street reported a theft.

PCSOs in the area spotted a man matching the description leaving the scene and a foot pursuit followed through the town. Officers detained the man in a local park a short time later.

Danny Hetherington, of Portslade, was arrested and taken into custody.

The 33-year-old has since been charged with one count of shoplifting relating to the incident on 5 May, and two further shoplifting charges linked to a separate incident reported on 29 April. He has been bailed to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 26 June. As part of his bail conditions, he has been banned from entering Lewes.

Chief Inspector Kara Tombling, Lewes District Commander, said: “Shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses, staff and the wider community, and we will continue to respond proactively to reports of offending in Lewes”.