CRIMEBUSTERS have declared the new Shop Watch scheme in Leigh a success after eight out of 10 shop thefts resulted in an arrest over Christmas.
Arrests for shoplifting between December 4 last year and January 1 were 56 our of 68 reported crimes, a slight increase on the previous year's totals.
Police and the Leigh town centre bosses said the figures were a reflection of the success of schemes such as Shop Watch -- which allows shopkeepers to warn each other about suspicious characters.
The information is radioed to a central point where the police can then be alerted, along with other retailers in the town centre, as well as those shops taking part in the scheme based at Parsonage retail Park off Atherleigh Way.
Town centre co-ordinator Laurie Barton said: "It's very positive for the town centre and we are hoping to continue to keep crime down."
And chairman of the town centre risk management committee, Brian Jarvis added: "I am very pleased to receive a successful report from Shop Watch. It is part of our continuing campaign to reduce crime in Leigh town centre."
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