SHOP staff have had lessons in suspicious body language from police as part of a campaign to counter theft and violence. As the Christmas crime season heads for a climax retailers have been to seminars to learn how to deal with crime.

Guilty facial expressions, lip biting, grimacing, glancing, covering the mouth when talking, fast breathing and fidgety movements were all highlighted as signs of suspicious behaviour.

According to Sergeant Graham Eccles, of Accrington Police, who organised the even town centre crime has fallen between in the past two years but retailers needed to stay on their toes and not be complacent.

"We ran the seminars to encourage retailers to be aware of criminal activity in the run-up towards Christmas. We demonstrated how to deal with a potentially violent situation, with the emphasis on feeling safer in the workplace," he said.

Shop layout and security were highlighted as important factors in combatting shoplifters.

Sergeant Eccles said if there was a robbery people wanted to run or defend themselves but the best policy was not to provoke anybody.

Invitations were sent out to 300 retailers and some of the major stores who got involved included Age Concern and John Menzies.

Jean Yates, manager of Age Concern, said: "It was very informative, although poorly attended. I enjoyed the seminar, and it has helped me to be more aware of suspicious body language."

Accrington Police has a local victim support group, who can offer help to retailers who have experienced a traumatic criminal incident on (01254) 871198.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.