Database targets shoplifter gangs

A new crime database is being installed in stores across the North East in a bid to combat professional shoplifters.

The National Intelligence Sharing Alliance will alert shopkeepers to the movements of known offenders.

It has records on 30,000 shoplifters, some of whom travel the country, targeting stores and moving on once police are alerted.

Some travelling gangs operate with "military precision", according to the North East Retail Crime Partnership.

We want shopkeepers to tell us the minute these people walk through the door Anne Tate, North East Retail Crime Partnership

Chief executive Anne Tate said: "We're concentrating on thieves moving from place to place who can sweep in as individuals or teams and take advantage of being unknown in the area.

"They can make a very good living from this and are often so adept at stealing that even when they're caught on CCTV, it's impossible to tell they've committed a crime.

'Highly-planned'

"We want shopkeepers to tell us the minute these people walk through the door so we can cascade this information out to other stores to protect them."

Information held on the database is being shared across 70% of the UK, including the Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland.

Northumbria Police said shoplifting is a big problem in the region, with evidence of some professional gangs carrying out highly-planned operations.

A force spokesman said one recent raid saw a group of six thieves steal £15,000 of goods from a North East store in just 15 minutes.