A MAN has been arrested for thefts and burglaries in and around Ludlow.

Tom Rutter, aged 24, has been charged with 23 offences of theft and 2 offences of burglary from shops in Ludlow, Leominster and Church Stretton.

The neighbourhood crime-fighting team (NCFT) assisted the police with locating and arresting the man yesterday (August 8), Ludlow police confirmed via a Twitter post.

Sergeant Jenni Price said: "Brilliant work from PC Hurley and the NCFT. A long shift but a great result."

Rutter has been remanded in custody to appear in Kidderminster Magistrates Court this morning.

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According to data published by the police in June, there have been 67 reported incidents of shoplifting, burglary, and theft in Ludlow so far this year.

But although these are some of the most reported crimes in Ludlow, the majority of cases over the last 12 months have not resulted in prosecution.

The NCFT was launched last month by PCC John Campion and is led by Sergeant Jenni Price, with similar teams in place across Shropshire and south Worcestershire. Herefordshire, Telford and the rest of Worcestershire are next in line to get their own teams.