Christmas present recovered following theft from Wirral supermarket

We detained a woman and recovered a Christmas present after it was stolen from a shopper at a Wirral supermarket.

The victim had been shopping in Asda on Grange Road in Birkenhead at around 1.20pm yesterday, Tuesday 23 December, when she briefly put down a bag containing a high value gift. The bag was then stolen.

An officer carried out an area search and detained a 54-year-old woman from Bebington area. The woman was searched and the gift recovered and returned to the owner.

The woman was dealt with by way of a community resolution.

Wirral Policing Inspector Nicola Hughes said: “We know that this incident would have been very distressing and we are delighted that, thanks to the efforts of one our officers, we were able to find the Christmas present and return it to its rightful owner.

“We know that the shops are currently very busy with people doing last minute-shopping and we always encourage people to be extra vigilant and aware of opportunist thieves.”

Merseyside Police’s Winter of Action, taking place between 1 December and 31 January 2026, is a major policing push to keep town centres safe during and beyond the festive season by tackling crime, reassuring communities, and ensuring our high streets are welcoming and safe for everyone.

Anyone who has information or would like to report suspicious behaviour should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999.