Thefts down: Radiolink is run by 70 stores

Offenders banned from stores in Wrexham are issued with an enforcement notice which means a repeat offence is treated as burglary - which carries a more serious penalty.

Since the project set up by North Wales Police and Wrexham council last month, the 70 stores taking part have seen thefts cut by a third.

One person has been arrested for alleged burglary.

The Radiolink scheme ensures anyone convicted of stealing or anti-social behaviour in any of the participating stores is issued with a two-year ban.

Spotted

The stores lease radios from the local authority which they use to warn each other if known offenders are spotted nearby.

If a banned offender commits a further shoplifting offence in the town, they face the more serious burglary charge.

It's only in its infancy but it's showing us the way forward and making for a better and safer place to come and shop Isobel Watson town centre manager

PC Steve Hughes said the scheme has made a big impact.

"In the last month we had 15 exclusion notices," he said.

"There were 19 less shoplifting incidents in Wrexham in one month, that's a 33% reduction on the same month last year.

"We've saved between 80 and 100 police hours and we've already excluded one person and arrested them for burglary in the town."

Exclusion orders can also be issued to people who are abusive or aggressive in a shop, either to a member of the public or a member of staff.

Wrexham's town centre manager Isobel Watson said the project has had a big impact on the area.

"We're delighted with the success of the scheme and we hope more shops will come onboard.

"It's only in its infancy but it's showing us the way forward and making for a better and safer place to come and shop," she said.