A special squad is being drafted in to tackle shop crime, which includes thefts from stores and from shoppers.
The team will also be monitoring the town’s rail and bus stations on the lookout for known criminals making their way into the town.
Some patrols will be highly visible and others will be covert, say police.
West Hampshire police’s Acting Inspector Glenn Curtis, who is leading Operation Scrooge, said: “Recent reports in the media have shown that because of the recession, shoplifting has increased. We want to send out a clear message that this will not be tolerated here in Romsey. Shoplifters will be arrested and they will be prosecuted.
“Operation Scrooge will bring together the key retailers so that we can work with them to deter and detect shoplifters in our town centre. We will also continue to target anti-social behaviour, youth nuisance and wider criminal behaviour in our area so that everyone can enjoy a happy and safe Christmas and new year.”
PC Ellie Shaw, PC Sharon Hargreaves and police community support officers Tom Munday and Hollie Dunning from Romsey’s Safer Neighbourhoods team will be working with the anti-shoplifting squad.
PC Shaw acknowledged there is a problem with shoplifting and there has been a spate of purse thefts in Romsey.
“Two people of eastern European origin were arrested in connection with some purse thefts but they are still happening,” she said.
“Elderly people are more prone to this crime. If people are in a crowd they should be mindful if jostled, it could be a distraction tactic to remove purses and people should not put their purses and handbags on shopping trolleys where they can be seen,” said PC Shaw.
In the run-up to Christmas officers will be going into shops and other businesses offering crime prevention advice and briefing retailers on how to deal with thieves.
Posters will be going up around the town warning people that shoplifting will not be tolerated and offenders will be arrested and prosecuted.
Retailers belonging to Romsey Shopwatch each have a radio communications system on their premises so they can alert fellow members when suspected shoplifters are in the area.
The town is also monitored by CCTV cameras linked to Hampshire police’s control room.
Romsey Town Centre manager Christine Cole said traders had enough to worry about in the present economic climate without the added pressures of shoplifting.
“We are holding six training sessions for businesses to help prevent shoplifting. Each session is a 15-minute video for retailers about shoplifting and ways to stop it People don’t have to book and it’s free,” said Christine.
The training sessions are due to take place on Tuesday, December 8 between 4pm and 7pm at Romsey’s Crosfield Hall.
http://www.romseyadvertiser.co.uk/news/news/4762794.Scrooge_squad_combat_Xmas_shoplifting_spree/