TEN suspected shoplifters were arrested in Wellington last month, latest crime figures show.

The number of shoplifting incidents more than doubled to 12 across February, including thefts at Waitrose, both One Stop stores, Asda, the Co-op and Longforth service station.

Sgt Helen Boyd said ten arrests had been made out of the 12 incidents.

Despite this rise, the number of crimes across the town dropped to 33 – down by 12 – from January, with the biggest fall in criminal damage to vehicles.

Six incidents of this nature were recorded, with three tyres slashed belonging to one victim, while there were various other damages to cars.

There were four house burglaries – up by one – and two arrests have been made with investigations continuing.

Suspects mainly targeted laptops and jewellery and there was also one attempted break-in.

Police made arrests following three common assaults across Wellington and Rockwell Green. Sgt Boyd said one was at the Wok Inn while the others were domestic incidents.

The only incident of a theft from a motor vehicle was where a grill was removed from the front bumper.