Swift action by police and shop managers in Lace walk help bring a burglar before the courts following a number of burglaries in Honiton.

A SUCCESSFUL partnership between police and shop managers in Honiton helped to bring a burglar before the courts following a spate of burglaries in Lace Walk.

Matthew Lee Stamp, 25, of Exeter, was charged with burglary and shoplifting when he appeared in court on Thursday, April 7.

Stamp pleaded guilty to the offences and was released on unconditional bail until May 3, when he will appear before magistrates again, for sentencing.

Police swung into action on Tuesday, April 5, just after 6pm, after Stamp forced open the front doors of The Original Factory Shop and stole a quantity of Smith and Jones jeans and Crosshatch hooded tops.

He then returned to the Lace Walk area, after changing his jacket, where he stole four top of the range bottles of whisky from The Co-operative.

Stamp was apprehended by police following patrols by officers from Honiton CID and the neighbourhood and response teams.

PC Roy Hutter, of Honiton CID, said “This is a very positive result, which was assisted by the close working partnership with the management team of the Lace Walk precinct.

“The jeans and hooded tops are still outstanding and I would like to hear from anybody who has been offered any of these items.”

? Police are still investigating separate break-ins at Tom, Dick and Harry’s, Optisave Opticians and Cancer Research UK, where a safe was broken into containing the days takings and floats.

PC Hutter added: “Enquiries are still continuing into the previous burglaries at the Tom, Dick and Harry’s, Optisave Opticians and the two burglaries to the Cancer Research shop.

“I am very interested to hear from anybody who has information that can assist me in bringing those persons to justice, who have targeted the Cancer Research shop and the charity boxes from the opticians.”

Anyone with information can call the police on 08452 777 444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.