SHOPLIFTERS are to be targeted as part of an operation in Evesham which includes covert and undercover work to catch offenders.

"Large numbers" of plain clothes and unformed officers are expected to take part in patrols next week as a focus of the operation which includes stop checks and reviews of CCTV. The two week op begins this Monday in the town and runs until Friday, October 31. "Operation Initiative", will focus on protecting shops and retail premises across the Vale of Evesham. The posters (pictured) are going to be placed in retail premises to warn offenders they may be being watched

Sgt Phil Staye at Evesham Police Station said the focus would not solely be on shoplifting but on tackling other forms of retail crime too. He said: "We think we know who our major offenders are and we have completed analysis work to enable us to be more targeted. Traders are having it hard and it makes it worse when their profits are eroded when people walk in and walk out with whatever they like. The operation will be covert and will involve plain clothes officers and officers from out of the area. Even if offenders think they know all the officers in Evesham there are going to be some they don't know."