There are currently 30 members but town beat officers want to build on their recent successes which have seen the number of reported incidents fall from an average of 12 a month to just five a month.

One prolific offender, Adele Woolaston (23), of Burdetts Close, Great Dalby, is currently serving a six-month prison sentence with a criminal anti-social behavior order banning her from enterting any retail premises within the town centre for three years.

A mixture of covert and high visibility patrols have also helped reduce the number of purse thefts.

Pc Lou Wills said: "We have a fantastic relationship with Smart (Secure Melton Against Retail Theft) and the staff in all the shops. Statistically the figures aren't high but if it upsets people on our beat then as far as we are concerned it is a major problem and we want to do more about it."

Pcso Roger Eshleby told a recent meeting of Melton Town Centre Partnership: "We want to expand the network because the more eyes and ears we have about the town the better. Marks and Spencer, M and Co and Halfords are all looking to join which is great.

"We're also getting the message across to shop staff that if they have any suspicions about anybody they can ask them to leave their premises immediately, before that person has the chance to commit an offence."

The town centre partnership, working with the police, is looking to organise more training for shop staff.

A number of independent retailers have told the Melton Citizen that empowering staff so they feel confident to challenge would-be shoplifters is an issue.

One shopkeeper, who has been trading in the town for 15 years and asked not to be named, said: "Gone are the days when you could simply employ a Saturday assistant. Now staff have to know how to spot a shoplifter, what to do if they see an offence taking place and if they should intervene or not.


"Sadly this is a problem which is not going to go away. It's a small minority of people who are responsible for the majority of offences and it's become a daily hazard of the job."