Thieves and shoplifters were today promised a Christmas crime crackdown by members of Witham Town Watch.

The joint initiative between police and traders has proved a massive success in the six weeks since it was launched and now organisers are confident Town Watch will make a huge dent in Christmas crime figures.

PC Emma Makey, of Witham community policing team, said: "We've put out an enormous amount of information since the launch, on burglars to shoplifters, and the system is working very well.

"Every town centre has shoplifters and its these we will target. We can warn all stores in Witham by putting out descriptions in a matter of minutes."

PC Makey defiantly added: "We want to make sure shops and shoppers in Witham do not suffer from crime this Christmas."

Witham Town Watch works by passing information between stores quickly, using a cascade system of telephone calls.

The system can be used at any time by any of the 58 stores in the telephone chain.

Sales staff and store detectives can circulate descriptions of potential criminals to every shop nearby, before the troublemakers leave the store.

Each store involved in the scheme is displaying a poster warning criminals to watch out.

To join Witham Town Watch contact PC Emma Makey or crime reduction officer Trisha Staerck on 01376 501212.

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