Prolific shoplifter jailed after attempting to 'shush' six-year-old girls who helped catch him

A shoplifter who was caught by two six-year-old girls despite trying to 'shush them' has been jailed.

Police were called after reports that Alan Morris, who was wanted for 22 separate offences in Blackpool in October, was recognised.

The 31-year-old led officers on a foot chase and believed he had escaped by hiding between a bin shed and a bush in a garden.

However, two girls saw Morris and pointed him out to the officers despite the offender attempting to 'shush' them.

Morris, of no fixed address, was arrest at the scene on Thursday, 7 November.

Lancashire Constabulary said he has since been given a nine-month prison sentence and a three year Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from entering any Asda and Tesco in Blackpool.

The girls who helped apprehend him were visited by officers in their school assembly, who awarded them a certificate and chocolates.

Sergeant Paul Regan said: "We wouldn’t have been able to detain the offender anywhere near as quick as we did if it wasn’t for the help of these two girls. They acted bravely and they should be very proud of themselves."

In a statement, a force spokesperson added: "Operation Vulture is Lancashire Constabulary’s response to shoplifting across the county, backed by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

The operation sees dedicated officers undertaking hotspot patrolling, increasing their visibility in targeted areas and creating strong partnerships with retailers across the county to better share intelligence, get a deeper understanding of retail crime and identify more offenders."