Thieves have been warned they will face police action if caught shoplifting in Watford in the run up to Christmas.

Police figures for the town show the number of reported thefts from a shop have risen by three per cent in the last year. There were 796 incidents between April 1 and November 30 this year, compared to 770 for the same period in 2009.

Pauline O'Brien, manager of Watford Businesses Against Crime (WBAC) said: “It doesn't seem to be any worse this year but we remain vigilant. It's just a busy time and busy for shoppers. If you're caught shoplifting, we will do everything we can to prosecute you.”

WBAC is a membership scheme that aims to reduce retail crime and ant-social behaviour in the town centre.

It has more than 60 members, ranging from restaurants and department stores to businesses and shops, who share information between themselves and the police about crime patterns and prolific offenders.

They also keep in touch with a radio system that allows them to maintain in direct contact with one another and the two CCTV centres in Watford.

WBAC also operates a one-year banning order for repeat criminals, while those from outside Watford who come into the town to commit crime could receive a three-year ban.

Among its members is John Lewis, which ensures its staff and security team are trained to be on constant watch for shoplifters.

Rob Scott, business protection manager for the department store, said: “It's easier [for shoplifters] at Christmas. There are more people around and the demand for goods, such as perfumes and electronics, is more. But with CCTV, we pick up these people and know they're around the town so we will be on the lookout.

“There are security and staff here all the time, covering the whole shop floor alongside the CCTV. Being part of WBAC provides us with a safe shopping environment for customers to come into and staff to work.

“We also have instantaneous help from PCSOs, who are fantastic, the Harlequin Centre and CCTV in the High Street, which has been invaluable over the year helping us to prevent and detain various people committing crime in our store.

“Christmas is our busiest time of the year and our most important time of the year so being in and around the shop floor is very important. It's all hands to the pump.”

WBAC has identified two types of criminals shops and businesses face – prolific offenders and opportunist thieves.

“The other type of crime is anti-social behaviour,” said Ms O'Brien.

“What we're talking about is businesses are in this to make Watford safer and more pleasurable to shopping. Just as it would not be pleasurable and safe if you're surrounded by thieves, it's also not pleasurable if you're surrounded by anti-social behaviour. Any low level crime we're looking to stop.

“Watford is a safe town. Businesses do a good job keeping it safe and we want to keep it as it is.

“To thieves, we would say go elsewhere because although it's a busy time of the year, businesses in Watford are never too busy to keep their shops safe and free from thieves and crime.”