Traders and police in Market Drayton are to launch a new scheme tackling shoplifting and anti social behaviour in the town.
At its heart will be a £3,500 radio system to alert shops, pubs and other businesses of crime taking place in the town centre.
It will also include a new, “information-sharing agreement” where the police will inform traders of suspected shoplifters in Market Drayton.
The scheme was discussed at a Chamber of Trade meeting last week and will be an “upgrade” of the existing Shopwatch scheme that has operated for the last two years.
Market Drayton local policing sergeant Lisa Bradbury said: “We’ve got the opportunity to start something up that works well and what we want is more shops signing up to become members of Shopwatch.
“We need to put it on a more formal setting and we’re in the process of getting a legal, information-sharing agreement signed where we can give members a list of current shoplifting offenders that we’re targeting.
“We’ll then look to work together with Shopwatch members and the Chamber of Trade to submit bids to various community groups for the new radio system.
“Hopefully, it will have an effect as Market Drayton is targeted largely by a few prolific shoplifters and shopkeepers will be urged to pass on information to the police as quickly as possible so that crime can be prevented.”
Chamber of Trade vice chairman Andy Brown said: “It was apparent that chamber members could work with the police and public in using this new radio system, not just for shopliting, but to fight other antisocial behaviour as well.
“It’s not just going to be a town centre system and the technology will be there to incorporate everyone in the town because the signal will be that strong.
“This is an upgrade of the Shopwatch scheme, but it’s also going to introduce a new system for the town’s Pubwatch scheme if the pubs want to take it on board.”
Tristan Fletcher, landlord of the Clive and Coffyne in Shropshire Street, said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea and I can’t see any reason not to have it because it’ll work well.
“We’ll be able to let people know what’s going on and if people are out causing trouble, we can let the police know straight away.
“If it goes ahead, it’ll be good for the pubs and the town as well.”
By Winston Brown