'Chav ban' plan to deter thefts

Retailers are encouraged to display posters in their windows

Police are trying to cut crime in shops - by banning customers wearing "Chav"-style clothes.

Baseball caps and hooded tops are among the garments which would mean wearers could be barred from stores.

The clothes are popular with youths who follow "Chav" fashion, which has grown in popularity over recent years.

Police in Corby and Kettering are concerned about the number of offenders who use clothing to protect their identities from CCTV cameras.

Officers want shops to ban people from entering their premises while wearing hats and have produced a poster to help stores enforce the new dress code.

In October four Corby stores had cash stolen by criminals wearing head gear.

Richard Wilson, crime prevention officer, said the idea was to encourage retailers across the north of the county to take positive action against criminals who conceal their identity.

"We are asking retailers to put up posters in their windows and doors advising their customers to remove all hats, or other garments which hide their faces, before entering the premises," he said.

"The posters would also serve as a visual reminder to shop staff to make them aware of the potential crime as well as enforce the ban."

He added the posters could also act as a deterrent to criminals.