SHOP owners in Newcastle Emlyn have launched their ‘Steal and Be Banned’ scheme.

More than 20 businesses in the town have already signed up to the initiative, with more expected to follow.

It follows the lines of a similar scheme set up in neighbouring Cardigan, which has been running for several years and has proved very effective in reducing shop thefts.

PCSO Steffan Jones was instrumental in introducing Steal and Be Banned to Cardigan and said: “This does work. The inconvenience it causes to people convicted of shoplifting is massive.

“When I have people who have been banned coming up to me and asking when they can go back in shops, you know it has been effective.

“Steal from one and you are banned from all shops in the scheme. It has a massive deterrent effect and is also a great way for businesses to share information with each other and know who to keep an eye on.”

Anyone found guilty of a shoplifting offence either by penalty notice, caution or charged in court could face being placed on the scheme for a period of between three and 12 months.

A first offence carries a three month ban from the businesses involved, a second six months and a third carries a 12-month ban.

If a person who is banned from shops in the town then enters a business premises, they can be charged with more serious offences such as trespass and if they then steal, that could be upgraded to burglary.

A meeting of Newcastle Emlyn Trader’s Association to set up the scheme was held back in February following a spate of shoplifting in the town in the run-up to Christmas.

Since then, local PCSO Jeff Kedward has been actively involved in encouraging businesses to sign up and now it is officially up and running.

All shops that sign up will display posters to warn would-be thieves.