70 people arrested as police crack down Huddersfield and Dewsbury
70 people have been arrested in just four weeks as police crack down on shoplifting and crime in Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres.
Officers in plain clothes have been patrolling shopping streets and stores.
Police say they are stepping up their presence through the summer, and anyone who spots crime or anti-social behaviour is urged to get in touch.
A West Yorkshire Police statement said: "Store thieves have been caught out by undercover cops in Kirklees in a summer arrest blitz in town centres.
"A total of 70 arrests were made in four weeks in July in Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres as part of an ongoing drive by proactive officers to cut retail crime there.
"Once again, police have been carrying out dedicated patrols in plain clothes on shopping streets and in shops to spot and catch out shoplifters.
"Police have also been carrying out extra high visibility patrols to deter offenders and hunt out those wanted for all manner of crime.
"Among those arrested for shoplifting were a 36-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the theft of Lego and DVDs in Huddersfield on 25 July and a 45-year-old man on 15 July for thefts from a Huddersfield store.
"Other theft arrests included that of a 37-year-old man arrested in Dewsbury on suspicion of the theft of alcohol.
"The team also confiscated alcohol from 37 people caught drinking in areas protected by Public Space Protection Orders in both towns and seized three cars which were seen being driven illegally.
"Meanwhile, repeat offenders have also been issued with civil orders including Community Protection Notices and Criminal Behaviour Orders making them subject to monitoring and swifter prosecution if they repeat their criminal acts
"Activity this spring and summer has carried on from a Winter of Action begun in late 2025 and winter 2026 in which officers from the town centre proactive teams stepped up late afternoon and evening patrols and operations to deter offending in key hubs in both towns.
"Proactive patrols of bus stations also continue in both Dewsbury and Huddersfield."
Sergeant George Rawlinson of Kirklees Police, said:
“Making Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres safer is exactly what our proactive town centre teams were created to do, and hunting down criminals operating in them is the cornerstone of our work.
“We continue to work very closely with our retail partners in both towns as well as Huddersfield BID to target our patrols and enforcement action. I can also assure retailers and people who live, shop and work in both town centres that they will see much more activity from us in the coming days and weeks."