MORE than 60 businesses have teamed up in Wantage to share information on crime in the town.
Police have launched a Business Watch scheme to email traders about suspected shoplifters, crime trends and successful prosecutions.
The scheme is designed to work alongside the Storenet scheme, where shopkeepers, police and CCTV operators keep in touch by radio.
Ali Smith, police crime prevention and reduction officer in the Vale of White Horse, said traders had already been told about a shoplifter being caught and about a change scam.
She said: “Wantage is quite a low crime area. We do get shoplifters from different areas so if they think there’s good CCTV, Storenet and Business Watch, hopefully they will go somewhere else.”
So far, 62 businesses are on board.
Linda Hatter, of Top Hatters shop in Mill Street, said: “It’s such a simple but effective idea.”
To sign up, call Ali Smith on 08458 505505.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here