As we move into the last full week of Christmas shopping, Ammanford Police would like to let those of you that prefer to do your shopping without paying to think twice before visiting Carmarthenshire shops this year.

Following on from the success of last year’s anti-shoplifting operation, this year’s campaign is proving very successful so far.

Police Officers, PCSOS and Special Constables will be patrolling the town centres and retail parks in Carmarthenshire in high visibility clothing and in plain clothes during shopping hours.

The campaign will run up to and include Christmas Eve.

The officers will also be in direct contact the retailers via the Storenet radio system.

This together with the new town centre CCTV systems, ANPR, Steal and Be Banned scheme all adds up to a healthy package of deterrents.

All officers will be briefed with up to date pictures of recent thieves, and share this information with the shops.

Crime Prevention Officer, PC Steve Morris, said: “A very good percentage of shop lifters are caught.

"Arrests will be made which allows officers to search the suspect’s homes for more stolen property whilst they are in police custody.

"The purpose of the Steal and Be Banned scheme is to share recent intelligence and pictures of convicted shoplifters with shops for the purposes of the detection and prevention of crime, the intelligence picture includes known criminals travelling from other police force areas.

"The scheme not only bans thieves from the store they stole from but bans them from all the shops in the town that are registered.

"I am aware that the retailers are working closer with the police this year and are also more vigilant at this time of year, with stores now fitting their own CCTV systems thieves can be seen at whatever part of the shop they are in”.

"Shoplifters are dishonest thieves and I urge all members of the public to report anything or person that they think is acting suspiciously."

This can be done to staff in the shop, by calling 101 for the police or you can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Number plates for suspects’ vehicles and description of offenders is a great help to the police when pursuing their investigations.

"Whilst I am on the subject of Christmas Shopping, can I remind all motorists and their passengers not to leave their shopping or any other items on view in the vehicle," added PC Morris.

"Always put things in the boot out of sight.”