Shops in Okehampton and Crediton targeted in charity box thefts

A man has been arrested following a series of thefts involving charity collection boxes in Mid and West Devon.

The man, in his 50s and from the Mid Devon area, was arrested on suspicion of theft on Tuesday after reports of charity boxes being taken from shops in Okehampton and Crediton.

He has since been released on bail while police continue their investigation.

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Inspector Mark Arthurs, Sector Inspector for Mid Devon, said: “Inspector Jones and I coordinated our teams to respond to concerns raised around an individual believed to be stealing charity boxes from local shops in our respective towns.

“We recognise the impact this type of crime has on those living in our communities and worked quickly to identify a suspect.”

Inspector Dan Jones, who leads the West Devon policing team, added: "I'm grateful to our communities for working together, with local police officers, so that we could quickly identify and arrest a suspect.

“If you have any concerns relating to crime or anti-social behaviour in your area, please reach out to us via the website or call 101.”