A Radical new scheme which aims to make York a no-go zone for shop thieves is now certain to go ahead.

Police and retailers say they are committed to getting the pioneering scheme - which will see thieves facing the double blow of a civil action on top of a criminal prosecution - up and running by November.

Retailers Against Crime In York (RACY) chairwoman Kay Hobbs said the move would play a vital role in the group's overall strategy against retail crime.

She said: "Civil recovery has been shown to be successful in Wolverhampton where it was first piloted. It gives retailers a way of making thieves pay for the security measures we have to put in place to catch and deter them."

York crime prevention officer PC John Bolton said: "The message we are sending out is clear. If you come to York to steal, watch out because we will be watching out."

At its second annual conference at the Guildhall, RACY members heard from the man who has pioneered the civil recovery scheme in this country.

Professor Joshua Bamfield has been at the forefront of the Wolverhampton pilot scheme where retail crime has been cut by 20 per cent.

He said the strong partnership between retailers, the police, the council and other agencies made York ideal for the civil recovery scheme.

He will be working with RACY to see the scheme introduced by November.

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