A SHOPWATCH scheme has proved its worth within hours of being launched.

Shopkeepers in Easington Colliery, who had joined the scheme last Friday, were all issued with special radios.

Only hours after the initiative came into action, one retailer needed its services.

PC Malcolm Pugh, the officer in charge of the project, said that at 9pm on the day of the launch, two young men had entered the Co-operative Store in the village demanding to be served, even though they had previously been barred.

"They were refused service and told repeatedly to leave. The men refused to leave and their presence became menacing and intimidating to staff,'' said PC Pugh.

A member of staff requested assistance on the Shopwatch radio. The two men initially ignored the action, but when they heard on the radio that police were just seconds away, they left the store.

PCs Paul Hughes, Nigel Avent, Tony Scully and Andy Wilkinson, who arrived at the store, spotted the suspects who had been shoplifting at the Co-op earlier in the day.

The men fled but were detained by the officers and warned about their conduct.

PC Pugh said: "This will hopefully get the message across to the criminal and anti-social elements of the community that shops and businesses are working together to make Easington Colliery a better place to work and live."