Police bust huge shoplifting ring after raiding 'swap shop' of designer shoes and clothes

A major shoplifting ring has been busted by police after a ‘swap shop’ housing thousands of pounds worth of designer shoes and clothes was discovered.

Officers raided the property in Rosegarth Walk in Highbury Vale, Nottingham, on 19 October and found around 240 boxes of designer shoes, 40 boxes of household goods and cosmetics as well as clothes stacked floor to ceiling.

It is believed the goods had been stolen from shops across Nottinghamshire with thieves swapping the items for drugs.

Officers say the stolen items were due to be sent abroad and sold on the black market.

PC Gordon Fenwick, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was quite a find and not something that my officers thought they would encounter when they executed the warrant on 19 October.

“It is hard to put a price on the amount of goods we have seized but we believe they are stolen items from high street stores and supermarkets.

“We also have intelligence to suggest these items were to be shipped overseas. We believe we have uncovered a shoplifting ring.

“We believe this property was potentially used by the shoplifting fraternity to trade stolen items for drugs.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It can seriously affect businesses and result in their closures.

“It also feeds drug addiction and has a huge impact on local communities in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour.

“This was a great result, but the investigation is far from over as we work at bringing those who ran this operation to face justice."

Following the discovery a 36-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis, handling stolen goods and possession of criminal property.