Shop workers join police specials

Electrical chain Dixons is one of the scheme's pioneers

Some of the UK's biggest high street stores are to give staff extra paid leave, so that they can work as special constables in a bid to cut theft.

Shop workers will be given two extra days' leave a month, which they will spend helping to patrol city centres.

The scheme is being piloted in Camden, in north London, and is expected to spread to many other areas.

The Metropolitan Police says it hopes the scheme will boost special constable numbers, which are down to about 800.

Retailers lose about £2bn a year through shoplifting and theft by their own employees.

'Financial benefits'

To try to cut these losses, some of the best known names in the high street, led by Dixons and Woolworth, are taking part in the action.

Staff will get the usual three weeks' training and, when they go on duty, they will be briefed by local police commanders on shoplifters who are active in their area.

One high street retail chain has reported that at stores where there are already special constables on the staff, losses of stock have been cut by nearly 40%.

Their presence may deter other employees who may be tempted to pilfer.

Police believe their work as specials also helps them to spot shoplifting.

"There could be real financial benefits from this," said Dixons operations director Joe Garner.