TWO men have been charged after a series of thefts were reported on a Leigh retail park.

Greater Manchester Police have reported that Philip Atkinson, 44, and Mohammad Ghanbari, 33, have been charged by the Leigh Neighbourhood policing team in connection with a total of 12 theft offences between them.

Theft, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour have been persistent issues in Leigh town centre and its surrounding areas in recent months.

Police say that the theft charges are a result of a proactive approach to an increase in shoplifting offences, with five of the six most problematic shoplifters in the town centre arrested last month.

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Working alongside the council's anti-social behaviour team, police have ramped up operations in the town centre with refreshed public spaces protection orders giving officers enhanced powers to tackle criminality such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Officers have also committed to further patrols and drop-ins in the town centre.

Following their arrests, Atkinson and Ghanbari have been remanded in custody to appear before the courts.

If you have information about crime in your area, contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.