POLICE will be working closely with traders in Wellington in a bid to crack down on retail crime in the town.

PCSO Steve Hill, of Wellington police, has said it is hoped a new scheme will come into operation in the town later this year which will make the area a ‘safer place to work, shop and visit’.

“Over the years we have seen more and more businesses come into the town and we’ve lost track of things,” he told members of Wellington Town Council.

The Safer Business Partnership will see traders sharing data – legally – about incidents and known and suspected criminals by using an app on their phone.

Previous schemes such as Shop Watch and Radio Link had fallen by the wayside but PCSO Hill is confident this new initiative will work.

“This new scheme will bring everyone back together again,” he said. “Images of anti-social behaviour culprits will be shared with staff on an app – it will be wonderful for staff at Asda and Waitrose, who do get a lot of problems.

“Previously we’ve had Shop Watch and Radio Link, and they had a number of issues and they folded. This scheme will be a far better system and should be very good.”

He said the basic annual cost to a trader to join the scheme would be £100, while a more premium service could be up to £500.

There were concerns that those people with the app could potentially start sharing information with friends.

But PCSO Hill said: “People who have got the app won’t be able to go down the pub and start showing it to their mates.”

Partnership support officer Sharon Baker, of Wellington police, added: “This scheme will be business led, rather than police led.

“Shoplifters who have been banned from Taunton and Bridgwater shops might be pushed out to other areas such as Wellington, so this scheme will help us to keep our eyes on them.”

Cllr Sean Pringle-Koskowsky said: “I’m sure this will be welcomed.”