An operation putting extra police on the beat in a town centre is helping businesses.

A team of about 16 officers is behind Operation Boxer, working to deter festive shoplifters and pickpockets in Chelmsford.

The scheme was put in place after the town's police met businesses and the idea of having bobbies on the beat in the main shopping area came to fruition.

Chelmsford section Insp Steve Robinson said they looked at what other towns were doing and took into consideration the view that shoplifting and anti-social behaviour goes up during the Christmas period.

Published Monday December 15, 2003

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