SEVENTEEN businesses in a Gwent town have joined up to a new Shop Watch scheme.

The businesses in Abertillery will work with their neighbourhood policing team and Blaenau Gwent council to try to increase the detection of crime and cut crime, through improved information sharing.

“The names of offenders have been well known in Abertillery for a long time, but a name is useless without being able to put it to a face,” said Gavin Clifton, neighbourhood policing team Inspector for Abertillery.

“We now have the mechanism to give these photographs to the stores, and the staff will now have a real chance to be able to identify the offenders before they commit the offence.”

Abertillery Community Support Officer Sharron Norman said retail theft can amount to hundreds of pounds a week to some stores.

She added: “We want to send out the message that this now has to stop.

“We are also working with our council CCTV department, whose expertise on monitoring the town will be an additional aid to combating the issue.

Shops needing more information, or wishing to join Abertillery Shop Watch, can call Abertillery police station on 01495 233943, or e-mail abertillery@gwent.pnn.police.uk