SHOPLIFTERS could face being banned from a town centre as traders team up with police to stamp out thefts from stores.

The policy is just one of the tougher measures that traders in Bishop Auckland may take in an improved Shopwatch Scheme.

The scheme, that was re-launched on Tuesday, has been revamped to try to stop thieves who repeatedly target shops in the town.

Insp Ivan Wood, of Bishop Auckland police, told traders that officers had been to Sunderland and Solihull, which had achieved success in combating shoplifting.

Both places had experienced big problems with repeat offenders and had introduced schemes that had had a major impact.

Officers have been liaising with both places to see how their ideas could be adapted for Bishop Auckland.

Insp Wood said: "I looked at Shopwatch and Crimenet two years ago and wanted to do something that would improve it and make it more effective.''

He said that shoplifters would often be arrested and charged but would reappear in the shops, sometimes within hours of being arrested.

It is hoped that exclusion orders will combat this problem with traders having the power to ban somebody from their stores for at least a year.

The process would give police the power to ban a thief from the store until they had been dealt with in court.

If that person returned to the store before the court date traders will be able to ban them from other stores.

This information would be presented to magistrates, resulting in tougher sentences.

The scheme is also part of the North-East Retail Crime Partnership which has access to details and photographs of repeat offenders from throughout the area so that traders can be forewarned about gangs and individuals who may target the town.

There are already 38 traders and businesses in Bishop Auckland Shopwatch but police are urging others to come forward and join the scheme.

For more information, contact Acting Sergeant Clare Hargreaves or PC Dave McChesney at Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566.