A man was “somewhat surprised” to be arrested after trying to sell bottles of alcohol he had allegedly stolen to plain-clothed police officers.

The officers had been carrying out an operation around Leigh town centre on the evening of Thursday April 18 when the man approached them.

Officers say they believe he had stolen the bottles of Cognac he then tried to sell them from a nearby branch of Tesco.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Yesterday evening officers from the Leigh Neighbourhood Team were conducting a plain clothes operation in and around Leigh town centre.

“They were blending in so well, that they were approached by a male who tried to sell them several bottles of alcohol, that he admitted he had just stolen from the nearby Tesco.

“He was somewhat surprised when he was subsequently arrest.

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“He was charged with theft and remanded in police custody to attend court the following day.”

Anyone with any information or concerns about thefts from shops in their areas or any other kinds of offences can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, witnesses can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.