Dozens are banned from town shops

Shops in the Aberdare scheme share information about offenders

A scheme to fight shop crime has led to 42 people being banned from stores in a valleys town centre.

Those excluded from retailers in Aberdare had been involved in fraud, theft or violence, said Rhondda Cynon Taf council.

Shop managers work with police and the council to share information about offenders and crime prevention.

A similar scheme for pubs has seen 19 people banned from participating licensed premises in Aberdare.

Insp Steve Meek, head of policing in the town, said: "These exclusions send a clear message to offenders.

It is often the case that people feel deterred from entering the town centre due to the actions of a mindless few Insp Steve Meek

"They are not welcome in our town and we will work, as we have done, to gather the evidence we need to ban them."

Asbos had also been served on five offenders, banning them from entering the town because of their "unacceptable behaviour".

The number of reported shop incidents in Aberdare was falling, bucking the trend across the rest of the UK, said the Rhondda Cynon Taf business crime reduction partnership.

The scheme works in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch, with shops and their partners sharing information and discussing offenders, crime trends and crime prevention.

The shops are also linked to police and the council CCTV control room through a radio system, allowing them to be alerted immediately to any incidents.

Some 19 people have also been banned from pubs in the town as part of Aberdare Pubwatch, a similar scheme which allows members to share information and receive crime prevention advice.

Insp Meek added: "Our town centres are safe places that have a lot to offer when it comes to enjoying social time.

"However, it is often the case that people feel deterred from entering the town centre due to the actions of a mindless few.

"We want to reassure everyone that we also share their concerns and are working, with our partners in the licensed trade, to ensure such a minority are not welcome."

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