Herts Police have charged a Watford man with 36 shoplifting offences after more than £1,000 of items were stolen.

Blaize Wiltshire, of Oxhey Drive, was arrested on Monday (May 20) over the crimes in South Oxhey between February and May this year.

The 38-year-old was charged with 32 thefts from Co-op; two from Lidl; two from Tesco; one theft from a motor vehicle; and one common assault.

He appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, after which he was remanded into custody ahead of his next court date on Friday, June 14.

Local Crime Unit Detective Sergeant Stuart Keene, said: “I hope news of this charging decision reassures the local community that we will always take action against shoplifters.

“Shoplifting can often be associated with other criminality so we are keen to do all we can to stamp it out.

“We will continue to support local shops and businesses and would urge them to continue to contact us if an offence is taking place so we can attend and take swift action.”

It comes soon after a separate incident earlier this month, which saw a man caught trying to take someone's bike in Watford just two days after getting a suspended prison sentence for stealing.

James Anderson, 37, of no fixed abode, had narrowly dodged jail after trying to steal from Sainsbury's in Albert Road South. He was subsequently jailed for two weeks.