Shopkeepers and police have joined forced to combat shoplifting in Maryport.

A Shopwatch scheme has been launched to take action against people who shoplift or commit other crime in shops.

Action can range from prosecution to exclusion notices, which ban individuals, for a set period of time, from entering any retail areas containing premises operated by members of the scheme.

Decisions on what action to take are made by members' votes at group meetings.

Twelve premises have so far signed up and actions so far have seen 10 people excluded from those shops for persistent shoplifting.

Sergeant David Macdonald of Cumbria Constabulary said: "The aim of the group is to stamp out theft and anti-social behaviour in the town.

"There is a close working relationship between retailers and the police and we believe this relationship will help ensure the success of the scheme.

"Shop staff keep in touch with each other and the police and share information on criminals and shoplifters who are active in their area."

The member premises are identifiable by a poster.

PCSO Emma Light added: "Each year criminals steal thousands of pounds worth of stock from our hardworking retailers.

"This scheme is a practical solution that helps shop owners create a safer shopping experience for customers and staff. It will ensure that those persistently committing crimes in our retail premises will be excluded from them, allowing police to move onto securing injunctions or criminal behaviour orders should they continue.

"We are proactively trying to get more stores involved and have been canvassing all the retail business in Maryport."

For more details or to sign up to the scheme, call PCSO 5322 Emma Light at Workington Police Station on 101 or visiting the Your Area page at www.cumbria.police.uk