THREE shoplifters were stopped by police officers for stealing chocolate from The Cooperative in Ledbury today (Wednesday).

Two men and a woman were detained by officers at the supermarket in New Street for shoplifting at 5.20pm.

All the chocolates were retrieved and as all three were first time offenders they were dealt with by means of community resolution.

With the agreement of the store manager, the trio paid double the price for the goods and all money was donated to the Red Cross.

The manager banned all three from the store.

They were initially arrested but after checks were carried out, and it was determined that none had offended before, a community resolution was assessed to be the best option.

Community resolutions are used regularly in low level crime to achieve a swift result and is seen as a key tool in restorative justice.

A spokesman explained: "West Mercia Police seeks to provide the best possible service and outcome to victims of crime.

"Community resolution is one example of how we do this.

"Often people who have been a victim of a 'local crime' such as damage to their property, had a low value item stolen or suffered a minor assault do not want to see the person who did it prosecuted.

"Instead they may just want the offender to say sorry for their actions, acknowledge that they have done wrong and one way or another compensate them for the damage or hurt that has caused.

"Of course if the crime is particularly serious and they wish to pursue a prosecution we will act accordingly."

Only one community resolution can be used within 12 months for similar offences.

A community resolution is not a conviction but is recorded information which may become disclosable during a CRB check.