Persistent offenders have been issued with Asbos

The city has pioneered the use of anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) against persistent thieves.

Asbos are issued banning shoplifters from city centre stores with the threat of a jail sentence if they are broken.

Les Bovill of Tayside Police said help for drug addiction was also offered to offenders to "break the cycle" of theft to feed their addiction.

He said: "I just keep going out there and trying to get both sides to a reasonable balance.

"On one side trying to get them help, trying to break the cycle. Or alternatively trying to get them off the streets so they don't commit the crime in the first place.

Good career

"Otherwise your city centre becomes a no-go area for members of the public."

BBC Scotland's Frontline programme understands that Edinburgh and other Scottish cities are looking to follow Dundee's lead.

Seventeen-year-old Jenny, who shoplifts to feed her drug habit, said the move might make people like her think twice.

She added: "I don't want to be a shoplifter all my life. It's not a very good career is it?"

However, Jodi from Aberdeen, who is serving a jail term for shoplifting, said an Asbo would not have stopped her.

She said: "What would be the difference if I had an Asbo.

"I would still be going in and them not bothering. Because if they don't notice any other time, they are not going to notice when I had an Asbo."