TRADERS in Whitecross have teamed up with their counterparts on Orford Lane to launch a new Shop Watch scheme.

They are working together to help prevent crime and make their businesses pleasant places to shop. All shops that have been signed up to the scheme will be displaying stickers in their windows to act as a warning against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Police Community Support Officer Kath Harkin, who has worked in Whitecross for the past four years, introduced the scheme.

Shopkeepers have a list of contact numbers for other retailers in the area so that each one can inform others of potential problems.

They also have the contact details of the local officers who will keep up with regular visits to all of the shops in the area and covered by the scheme.

So far the scheme has already been piloted with success in Whitecross and is now becoming a permanent fixture.

Helping to support the scheme will also be Police Community Support Officers Stacy Ryley and Vickie Rimmer. The pair, who both joined the police in December and have recently hit the streets after completing their training, are now working hard to help shopkeepers in Whitecross forge new links with the community.