Leicester Mercury

Three assaulted attempting to stop shoplifter­s

POLICE APPEAL TO TRACE MEN THEY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO

- By SHANNEN HEADLEY shannen.headley@reachplc.com @ShannenHea­dley

TWO thieves disturbed while shopliftin­g in a Loughborou­gh store assaulted three people on their way out.

Police have now launched an appeal to identify two men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

The thieves were seen taking items by a member of staff, who was knocked to the ground when attempting to confront them on March 17.

Two members of the pub- lic were also assaulted in the incident in Belton Road, while trying to stop the shoplifter­s from leaving.

They were also knocked to the ground, with one of them punched during the assault.

The incident happened between 4.45pm and 5.40pm, said a spokesman for the force, which has just released CCTV footage of two men they believe can help with their inquiries.

Pc Jake Bull, the investigat­ing officer, said: “I believe the two men pictured may have informatio­n about this incident and I’d therefore like to speak to them.

“If you recognise them and know who they are – or you’re one of those people – then please get in touch.”

The image, released on the Leicesters­hire Police website, shows the two men both dressed in black.

The man on the left looks to be middle-aged, white, with a grey Nike cap and a blue hoodie underneath his coat.

The man on the right looks significan­tly younger, is white, with brown hair and is wearing a face mask in the photo.

He is pictured with his hand in his hair, wearing a cross body holdall and a carrying shopping bag.

The force spokesman said: “An appeal is being made to identify two men following a theft from a Loughborou­gh shop in which three people were assaulted.

“The incident happened at premises in Belton Road between 4.45pm and 5.40pm on Thursday 17 March.

“Two men were seen taking items by a member of staff, who disturbed them but in doing so was knocked to the ground.

“Two members of the public attempted to stop the men as they left the shop. Both were knocked to the ground and one was also punched.”

Anyone with informatio­n is asked to call 101 and quote reference 22*154950.

I believe the two men may have informatio­n about this incident and I’d therefore like to speak to them

Pc Jake Bull

 ?? POLICE ?? PLEA: Police would like to speak to these men after people were assaulted trying to stop thieves
POLICE PLEA: Police would like to speak to these men after people were assaulted trying to stop thieves

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