They say they haven't been able to catch the thieves because most of them wore their hooded tops up and they couldn't see their faces on CCTV cameras.
So now there are posters in shop windows telling people they have to put their hoods down before they can go in.
People wearing caps, hats or scarves around their faces are also banned.
Less shoplifting
Motorbike crash helmets haven't been allowed to be worn in banks for ages.
The police in Basildon say there's been less shoplifting since the ban was introduced.
They're going to check in another five months to see if the idea's working well.
They may then introduce similar bans in the rest of Essex.
And other counties - including Devon and Cornwall are thought to be interested in banning people from wearing their hoods up too.
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