Caterham officers are praising the town's Shopwatch system after two men were arrested following the theft of more than £300 worth of goods.

The first incident happened on Thursday, 30th September, when more than £69 of fake tan and make-up was stolen from Superdrug, Church Walk. Local neighbourhood officers were quickly alerted to the theft and PC Wayne Stephens stopped and arrested a man in nearby Harestone Valley Road.

A discarded brown bag containing a large amount of cosmetics, razors and fake tan was recovered.

A 45-year-old man, from Morden, was taken to Reigate police station where he was interviewed and received a caution for theft.

On Friday, 1st October, a trolley containing £232 worth of food, alcohol and toiletries was pushed out of Waitrose, Station Avenue, and the goods loaded into a gold Volkswagen Golf without being paid for. The vehicle drove away but neighbourhood officers had already sprung into action following an early tip-off via the store's Shopwatch system. A vehicle was stopped on Godstone Road, Whyteleafe, which had a boot-full of shopping.

Local Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Wayne Stephens said: "Both of these incidents demonstrate the significance this scheme has in combating retail theft in Caterham.

"When shoplifters are not caught it is the law-abiding majority who end up footing the bill to cover the cost of price increases resulting from their crimes and this is simply not fair.

"We need to work together and stop these offences taking place by making sure the offenders are brought to justice and prevent the same thing happening again.

"If you are offered goods at a knock-down price or suspect the items to have been stolen please inform police."

Paul Denieffe, 29, from Hannay Walk, Streatham, was charged with theft and will appear at South East Surrey Magistrates Court on Friday, 15th October.