SHOPLIFTERS could be banned from Bishop Auckland town centre as traders join forces with police to stamp out thefts from stores.

The idea is just one of the tougher measures that traders in Bishop Auckland are considering taking as they relaunch their Shopwatch Scheme this week.

The scheme, which was re-launched on Tuesday, has undergone a number of changes to try to stop thieves who repeatedly target shops.

Inspector Ivan Wood, of Bishop Auckland police, told traders that officers from the town had travelled to places including Sunderland and Solihull, in the West Midlands, which had managed to fight back against shoplifters.

He said that both towns had experienced big problems with repeat offenders and had introduced schemes that had had a major impact on shoplifting levels.

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

Inspector 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 shoplifters would often be arrested and charged and then would appear in the shops again, sometimes within hours of being arrested.

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

The process would give police the power to ban the shoplifter from the targeted store until they had been dealt with through the court system.

If that person returns to the store before the court date, traders will get the chance 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