Man arrested for shoplifting offences following road policing stop in the Highlands

A road policing stop in the Highlands has led to the detection of numerous shoplifting crimes from across the country as Police Scotland continues to tackle retail crime offences.

At around 8pm on Thursday, 18 September, 2025, road policing officers in Dingwall were on patrol on the A862 when they signalled a vehicle to stop near the Ardullie roundabout.

A search of the vehicle found numerous chemist related items which were believed to have been stolen.

Enquiries were carried out and as a result a 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with shoplifting offences committed in Kirkcaldy, Inverness, Elgin, St Andrews and Broughty Ferry on 22 and 23 February 2025.

The man has been charged and was due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Friday, 19 September, 2025.

Sergeant Chris Donaldson, Highland and Islands Road Policing Unit, said: “Officers on patrol carried out routine checks of this vehicle which led to the subsequent stop and search.

“We have officers out and about on roads each day helping police investigations that may not always be road traffic related.”

Inspector Emma Wright from the Retail Crime Taskforce said: “Although the thefts happened in February, officers were quickly able to link shoplifting crimes and seize potentially stolen goods. This is due to work by the Taskforce’s intelligence function, that identifies linked retail offences and those who are allegedly committing organised retail crime across Scotland.

“We continue to work with officers across Scotland, from all departments and teams within the organisation, to target those who commit retail crime offences.”