A thief caught stealing from Kenilworth's Sainsbury's was not charged by police, so as not to slow down his deportation.

A report to the town council said Kenilworth Safer Neighbourhood Team has been "concentrating their efforts" on the town centre over the past few weeks, with shoplifting continuing to be an issue.

In particular, theft of alcohol from Sainsbury's have continued to be reported, with one such incident involving a man wanted by a number of forces in the country.

"PC Finch ran down two offenders on Tuesday after trying to steal alcohol from Sainsburys, one of which was found to be wanted by other forces in the country for bulk thefts," the report to Kenilworth Town Council said.

"He was also an illegal immigrant who had re-entered the country after being previously being deported.

"We made a decision not to charge with offences as it would have delayed his deportation, therefore he [was] taken by immigration immediately at custody."

Two other prolific local shoplifters have been jailed for over 30 weeks, the report said.

It has been found that offenders have been travelling from far and wide with some coming from as far as Liverpool, London, Milton Keynes, and are part of organised crime groups targeting towns, Kenilworth SNT revealed.

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"However, we can never be complacent, recently thefts have crept up again in the town centre in the past week (last week of March).

"Three of these offences were committed by one male who is known and, at the time of writing, I can say the male has been arrested following a foot chase in Coventry.

"He is outstanding for six offences and an application shall be made to have him remanded in custody"