A SHOPWATCH scheme has proved a success on its first day.

Launched on Friday in Easington Colliery, shopkeepers who joined the scheme were issued with radios.

Only hours after the scheme started, one retailer needed its services.

PC Malcolm Pugh, who is in charge of the project, told how its first success came about.

He said that at 9pm on the day of the launch, two young men entered the Co-op store in the village demanding to be served, even though they were barred previously.

He said: "They were refused service and told repeatedly to leave. The men refused to leave and their presence became menacing and intimidating to the staff."

As a result, a member of staff requested help on the radio. The two men initially ignored the call, but when they heard on the radio that police were near, they left the store.

PCs Paul Hughes, Nigel Avent, Tony Scully and Andy Wilkinson, who arrived at the store, saw 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.

PC Pugh said: "This successful use of the Shopwatch radio did not lead to an arrest or detect crime. It did lead, however, to the ending of a potentially criminal situation.

"It will hopefully get the message across to the criminal and anti-social element of the community that shops and businesses are working together to make Easington Colliery a better place to work and live."