POLICE were scouring a city suburb looking for a man alleged to have been targeting retail shops in Worcester city centre.

Officers arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of shoplifting in the city centre this morning (Wednesday).

The suspect ran away from police officers following reports of theft from a store on The Shambles.

The man was later tracked down and found in a garden on Timberdine Avenue and arrested at around 10.40am.

He was taken into custody.

City centre police were supported by officers from the new Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team who were also on patrol in the area at the time.

A spokesperson for Worcester SNT said: "This was a great result for the community, apprehending and arresting a suspected shoplifter so swiftly after the alarm was raised.

“We were able to do this thanks to support of our colleagues in the Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team.

“Thankfully the suspect is now in custody and off the streets while we expect to be able to charge him.”

There were large numbers of police seen in Battenhall Road.