Four people have been charged with stealing champagne worth more than £700.

During a crackdown on shoplifting in the town centre police received a report of a theft from Waitrose in High Street, Eastbourne.

Officers found a vehicle in nearby Wilmington and a significant amount of suspected stolen goods were recovered.

Martin Elliot, 46, of Chichester Road, Bognor, Laura Page, 38, of Colemore Square, Havant, Tammy Vinall, 38, of Steep Close, Havant, and Lois Ferris, 31, of Athena Avenue, Waterlooville, were arrested on suspicion of theft.

They have each been charged with two counts of theft and released on bail and are due to appear at court on November 5 and 30.

Elsewhere during the day of action on October 4, which saw the Neighbourhood Policing Team join partners from the Eastbourne Business Crime Group, Eastbourne Business Wardens, and the Beacon Security, officers liaised with several businesses to offer advice and support and to discuss recent shoplifting incidents.

Suspected shoplifters were identified as a result of these conversations and enquiries are ongoing to locate them.

Several searches were conducted in the town centre resulting in the seizure of a crowbar.

Inspector Simon Burroughs, of the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We recognise the theft and shoplifting challenges faced by businesses, with staff sometimes at risk of harm if they intervene.

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“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It has a massive impact on our local economy and is a sign and precursor to other harm, such as drug use, violence and exploitation.

“This day of action was just part of our ongoing work to tackle business crime and support local businesses – we are committed to addressing this issue.”

Adam Godden, Specialist Adviser for business crime at Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “These days of additional support from Sussex Police are greatly received by the business community. It shows that having communication through the ShopWatch radios allows officers to act swiftly to apprehend individuals who would seem intent on committing crimes within our town and county.

“This reaffirms that Sussex Police take shoplifting seriously and the importance of the ongoing partnership work to combat business crime.”