Criminals targeting city centre stores and shoppers this Christmas are being warned they will be caught and punished.

Officers conducting high-visibility patrols are working closely with the City Centre Beat network, store security staff and CCTV operators to keep visitors to Bradford and their belongings safe.

Yesterday morning, police swooped to arrest a 42-year-old man who was taken into custody after reports of a theft from a high street store.

The alleged incident happened at Marks & Spencer at about 11am.

A man was arrested soon after by police officers in the Broadway area of the city. Officers recovered a handbag that was believed to have been stolen and then discarded.

A member of the public, who did not wish to be named, said: “At one point there were four police vehicles parked near the old Acropolis cafe, so it was obviously quite a big response.”

Crime manager Sergeant Michael Moore, of the City Ward Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said plain-clothed officers were also monitoring shops throughout the festive period, particularly as more people are coming into the city to spend money.

Sgt Moore said: “Those who try to take advantage of the busy atmosphere to mask illegal activities will quickly find themselves before the courts.

“All our officers on the City Neighbourhood Policing Team are fully briefed about individuals who have previously carried out shoplifting or pick pocketing offences. We will be proactively targeting those people and reducing the opportunity for these types of crimes.”

As part of the NPT’s work, officers will be speaking to shoppers and businesses, offering crime prevention advice to help them avoid becoming a victim.

“We will be urging people to always be mindful of their possessions and that they are not advertising them to potential thieves,” added Sgt Moore.

Anyone who witnesses a shoplifting or pick-pocketing offence can call the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111. Police also want to hear from the public if they know stolen goods are being received by others.

“We want to know who they are. If you tell us, we will take action,” said Sgt Moore.