PERSISTENT shoplifters face a lifetime ban from more than 200 stores across York under tough new measures announced today.

Storeholders are to bar the convicted thieves as part of a retail exclusion order scheme that could end in jail for anyone who tries to flout it.

Police officers believe the action will cut the crippling losses stores suffer in stolen goods and help improve the safety of staff and customers. Under the scheme, convicted thieves will be banned from all member stores of Retailers Against Crime in York (RACY).

Shop managers will be given details of the offender and any breach will be used as evidence for an Antisocial Behaviour Order.

One experienced York store detective welcomed the move. He said shop theft was a growing problem and it was time for stores to crack down hard.

He said: "There are people out there and all they do every day is wander around shops looking for an opportunity to steal.

"With the threat of an Antisocial Behaviour Order, which can carry a prison sentence if broken, we have massive power to crack down on shoplifters."

A blitz on retail crime by police and store detectives earlier this year netted 46 shoplifters in just three days.

In the past week, police believe one prolific offender may be responsible for thefts of clothes worth more than £3,000 from two York fashion shops. A Middlesbrough woman was also caught with hundreds of pounds worth of belts, handbags and jewellery after a theft spree at two department stores.

Two young thieves were found in Monks Cross with baby clothes worth £230. They were hidden under a child in a pram.

Diana Golding, Coppergate Centre manager and chairwoman of RACY, said this is a "major victory" for York retailers.

She said: "It has been desperately frustrating for staff to watch known thieves enter their stores and not be able to do anything about it. This order gives us all some real power to protect both our merchandise and our staff."

PC Rick Ball, of York Police, said cracking down on shoplifting created a "win-win" situation by cutting losses and protecting staff and customers. Jane Mowat, of Safer York Partnership, said the "real partnership effort" follows many months of hard work by RACY members and York Police.

The exclusion order becomes effective when a thief is convicted. Their details are then circulated to all member stores, which have a badge in their window.

They include businesses in the city centre, Acomb, Clifton, Hull Road, Monks Cross Shopping Park, Clifton Moor and the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet.

Updated: 10:38 Wednesday, December 03, 2003