MERSEYSIDE Police has joined forces with retail stores across Wirral in a bid to crackdown on shoplifters during the festive period.

The crackdown is part of a retail crime initiative, launched in November, and is designed to provide an increased presence in town centres and shopping parades.

Many businesses have already signed up to the scheme, which will see security officers at shops and stores supported by uniform and plain clothes officers.

Detectives will also be visiting second-hand dealers and will be talking to licensees in pubs to warn them about stolen goods being sold to their customers.

Officers will also visit persistent offenders with the probation service to reinforce the message that if they commit retail crime, they will be brought to justice.

Rail and road networks will also be monitored to identify known criminals who target retail premises.

Chief Inspector Jenny Sims said: “Unfortunately, in the run up to Christmas some people see our retail premises as an easy target and think it’s acceptable to walk in and take goods without paying.

“They forget that retailers provide a vital service to our communities and by stealing goods they could have a huge impact on the retailers’ ability to continue to trade, so preventing these crimes is in everyone’s interest.

“If you buy something that is stolen you are as culpable as the person who stole the goods and could be arrested for handling stolen goods.

“We are keen to catch the criminals who try to sell stolen goods.”

During the initiative, officers will also be handing out handbag bells to shoppers to help their purses and other property safe.

Anyone with information about people involved in shoplifting or handling stolen goods should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.