A man recently released from prison was caught shoplifting, police say. 

Police made three arrests following two separate shoplifting incidents in Southampton city centre on Friday.

On Friday (May 30) morning officers received reports of a man trying to leave the Co-op store on High Street with stolen items in his possession.

Having been detained by security, officers arrived on the scene and arrested the suspect, a 37-year-old man from Southampton. 

He has been conditionally bailed until August 30 while enquiries continue.

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Later in the day, officers engaged in a foot chase to apprehend a duo fleeing Sainsbury's in Bedford Place, both men were caught, arrested, and found with a “large bag of stolen items.”

Kieron James Slack-Travers, 29, of Beaucamp Drive in Newport was arrested and charged with theft from a shop. He pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates Court on Saturday, May 31, and was sentenced to three weeks imprisonment.

A 30 year-old man from Southampton was also arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop. He has been released on conditional bail until August 30, while enquiries continue.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Shoplifting is not something that will be tolerated and is a huge drain on stores in the city.

“These are just a couple of examples of the many incidents that A shift attended on Friday.

“Others incident attended by the team include concern for safety calls, burglary, domestic incidents and assaults.”