A NEW crime-beating scheme will use state-of-the-art technology to crackdown on town centre thieves and shoplifters.

From next week, a police computer will automatically call retailers in Chesham with up-to-the-minute news on criminal activity around the town.

Many shops around the town centre have already signed up to the initiative in a bid to crush shoplifting gangs and improve customer safety.

PC Dave Bevan, a crime reduction officer for Thames Valley Police explained: "Chesham's got a problem with shoplifting like everywhere has and obviously you get shoplifting gangs. So, the idea is that people know that these people are in the town and to be careful."

The initiative has been dubbed the Ringmaster Scheme after the computer system it is based on.

Any offences reported to the police will be loaded verbally onto a computer at Amersham police station. The computer will then automatically telephone retailers who have signed up to the scheme giving particular details of the incident such as the descriptions of the criminals involved.

PC Bevan hopes the scheme will bolster feelings of community spirit and co-operation between businesses in Chesham.

He said: "Retailers should get more of a sense of belonging and communication with the community. This has always been a problem before. This initiative will help us to get the message out and to cut town centre crime."

About 40 retailers, mostly in the High Street and The Broadway, have signed up to the scheme which comes after more than two months of work between Thames Valley Police and The Chesham Partnership.

Maggie Cannon, Chesham town manager, has been busy printing up stickers and signs to promote the scheme behind shop windows and counters around the town.

She said: "This came out of the first meeting I had with retailers. One of the strongest issues that came up was obviously security of their premises. Fear of crime is always worse than actual crime but if this makes them [retailers] more secure this is another step forward."

Thames Valley Police and The Chesham Partnership now want more shops and businesses to sign-up to the scheme.

PC Bevan added: "As the scheme gets better known and starts getting results then other people will come on board. Hopefully this is going to expand."

For more information on the scheme call Maggie Cannon on 01494 792848.o