A shoplifter was arrested and a woman was found with scales and cash durimg a town centre crackdown.

Sussex Police officers took part in the crackdown with uniformed and plain closed officers as well as security staff to tackle hotspots of crime in Eastbourne.

The force said that two people were arrested, with one man now behind bars.

As part of the operation on July 5, Sussex Police say they spoke with businesses about known shoplifter Joseph Marodza in the area.

Marodza, 30, was arrested in the town centre and charged before pleading guilty to seven counts of shoplifting.

He was handed a 21-week prison sentence.

Read More: Multiple people injured after town centre attack outside Taco Bell

Elsewhere in the town centre a woman was found in possession of cannabis, scales and cash when she was stopped and searched by plain-clothed officers.

She was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs and has since been released under investigation.

A man known to be subject to a Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO) was also stopped and searched in Terminus Road.

Officers conducted stop and search checks for shoplifting offences, with plain clothed officers tracking prolific shoplifters, and uniformed officers conducting searches "where grounds were sufficient".

Teams also worked alongside Beacon security, with officers using Shopwatch radios and assisted by security staff, resulting in two summons and a community resolution issued, with the stolen items returned.

Chief Inspector Jim Loader said: “Hotspot policing has proven to be an extremely effective method of protecting our communities, using data and intelligence to target our resources where they can have the greatest impact.

“The results of this day of action are reflective of the success we and our partners can achieve across Sussex by focusing on the highest harm areas and most prolific offenders.

“Teamwork is central to that approach, working with our partners in the community to share intelligence, identify issues and put the specific measures in place to tackle them.”