A HIGH Street shop has barred groups of more than two unaccompanied children from entering following a series of thefts.

Owners of The Nook & Cranny say the new rules are in place to “protect [their] traders and their businesses”.

A spokesperson for the shop said: “Unfortunately we have been targeted again by shop lifting. We have decided to implement the below with immediate effect.

“We really hoped that we wouldn’t have to take such drastic action, but our small businesses can not afford loses in an already difficult climate on the High Street.”

Co-owner, Maxine Price says The Nook & Cranny faces an ongoing shoplifting issue which they hope to tackle with their new store rule, the use of their CCTV systems and with help from the police.