MISERLY thieves in Redcar are promised a cheerless Christmas.
Operation Scrooge, a joint effort by the police, Redcar Town Centre Management and Redcar Business Association, aims to prevent shoplifting and purse snatches in the town centre, to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and to reduce car crime.
Police officers will be carrying out high profile and plain-clothed patrols, aided by mounted patrols around the town. They will be in close contact with store detectives, security and retail staff, who will be using the CCTV radio link scheme to track offenders.
To coincide with the operation, 45 shops have signed up to introducing exclusion orders, meaning anyone caught shoplifting will be automatically banned from entering the other 44 shops.
Sgt Nigel McCartney, who is co-ordinating the operation, said: "We want people to feel free to shop in Redcar and we will be very pro-active on dealing with those who come into the town to steal.
"There will be no Christmas cheer for those who get caught so the message to the criminals is to stay away."
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