A COUPLE were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting offences in St Helens town centre, as a crackdown over the festive season continues.

The ‘Make St Helens safe’ campaign has seen the extensive use of CCTV cameras to track suspects.

The man and woman were initially arrested in separate locations after investigations at different shops in the town centre.

After their arrests in connection with thefts police became suspicious that they were a couple and made allegations that they had been working together.

Meanwhile, a suspect from St Helens Retail Park was pursued after allegations a hoard of air fresheners had been stolen from a shop.

A man was seen to jump on to a bus on Corporation Street and police later made the vehicle pull over on Parr Stocks Road.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of stealing goods valued at nearly £33.

Another arrest was made after a black Citroen car came to the attention of police. It was traced to Westfield Street where it was stopped and the driver arrested on suspicion of theft of a mobile telephone in Oldham.