Businesses have begun a crackdown on crime in the run-up to Christmas by issuing a stark warning to would-be shoplifters.

Watford Business Against Crime (WBAC) encourages its members to share information and intelligence with each other and the police, in a determined effort not to fall prey to criminals operating in the area.

And they have warned that if caught, shoplifters could be banned from the town centre until Christmas 2009.

Working with the police, WBAC issues a “Top 12” every three months to member shops, which includes the names and photos of the dozen most prolific shoplifters in Watford.

This list is regularly updated to ensure staff know who to watch out for.

Repeat shoplifters or those who engage in threatening or anti-social behaviour can now also be banned for a year from all member shops – more than 30 shops in Watford that includes John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, BHS, T J Hughes, Primark, and the Harlequin Centre.

Once banned, if that person returns and continues to shoplift at any time during their ban, they can expect to receive a much harsher penalty.

Pauline O’Brien, who manages Watford Business Against Crime, said shoplifting may seem to be a “victimless crime”, but it is the rest of the public who pay for it through increased prices.

She said: “This is the busiest and best time of the year for retailers and shoppers alike. We need to make sure that people who come to shop in Watford continue to feel safe and able to go about their shopping without having to worry about the tiny minority who engage in committing crime in the town centre.

“Criminals may think they have gotten away with stealing goods from a store, but once they make off, they may be tracked every step of the way. And in all likelihood, before they leave the town centre, a police officer will appear to greet them and relieve them of their heavy shopping bags.

“Watford is generally a very safe place to shop, and members of Watford Business Against Crime are determined to keep it that way. The message to shoplifters is clear – stay out of Watford or risk a ban and a criminal record.”