SHOPLIFTERS are being targeted in a new crackdown organised by the police and Bolton Town Centre Ltd.

The Retail Crime Operation, co-ordinated by the police and town centre bosses, aims to send out a strong warning that shoplifters are not welcome in Bolton.

The RCO will use a range of technology that is available to retailers including the Town Centre Radio Links and CCTV cameras and will actively target persistent thieves.

When a persistent shoplifter has been arrested they will be served with an exclusion order that bans them from entering not only one store but also any other members of Bolton Town Centre Ltd.

Any initial ban will last for a two year period, but if the offender commits further offences the ban can be extended.

If despite the ban a persistent offender is convicted of another offence, the breach of the exclusion order will be drawn to the attention of magistrates who may impose a greater sentence.

Similar schemes in other parts of the country have reported dramatic drops in the level of retail crime and organisers hope that this scheme will have the same level of success.

Bolton police community safety officer PC Steve Openshaw said: "The police fully support this initiative.

"We believe it will not only reduce shoplifting but make Bolton a safer place to shop."

Bolton Town Centre Ltd security development manager Rob Dyson said: "We are delighted to be able to provide this scheme to our members in conjunction with our partners.

"We feel that it is an important step in the reduction of town centre crime."