Pioneering crime-busting initiatives are to be launched in Basildon town centre next year - and CCTV is still the top priority.
One project is to be introduced into the town to make it more difficult for thieves to plunder shops by banning them - and imposing higher penalties if caught more than once stealing from stores.
Security radio systems will be improved and store staff will be encouraged to "arrest" thieves and have them prosecuted through civil courts to ease the workload for police officers.
The town suffered a blow earlier this year when the Home Office refused to fund its spy camera surveillance room.
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