Jackie Atkinson, Senior Line Manager for Thomson Directories holds the Shoplifting Awareness Campaign sticker at the launch in Bradford city centre

Letters are being sent to all retailers giving help and advice, including a ten-point plan to thwart offenders. Special window stickers are also being produced and distributed by Thomson Local to shops and stores so they can promote the new zones.

It will send out a clear message to potential thieves that measures have been
taken in-store to stop theft and will also reassure customers.

Sgt Susan Barnes, Bradford South Police crime reduction sergeant, said: “Christmas is always a very busy time for retailers and shoppers in Bradford, as well as for criminals. This campaign is all about raising awareness and urging retailers to employ a few simple steps to deter thieves".

“Already, in the run up to Christmas, we have been mounting a number of operations and high profile patrols in the city centre and this will continue and the Shoplifting Aware Campaign is a key part of this".

“We are committed to making Bradford a safer place to shop and are happy to work with Thomson Local in this initiative”.

Chris Hiles, Regional Manager for Thomson Directories, said: "The heart of the
local community is threatened by this growth in shop theft. The process of
making our shopping centres safer and encouraging a thriving retail community is important to us and we are pleased to be working with West Yorkshire Police to combat this problem".

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