SHOPKEEPERS praised police for doubling patrols in Colchester town centre in the run up to Christmas.

Officers have caught dozens of shoplifters and pickpockets during Operation Christmas Cracker.

In a new approach, police make announcements in shops, warning customers to beware of purse thieves and shoplifters.

Tracy Daly, manager of Card Factory, said: “I am happy to see the officers. There have been many around, which is great.

“This shop gets really packed and it is not easy to rush after people you suspect of stealing.

“Officers are always in and out and I don’t mind them making announcements.

“The extra police offer reassurance.

It is good they are alerting people.”

During one hour, PC Hayley Langmead received four calls about potential shoplifters. She visited several shops and issued warnings to customers. She also, with the support of security staff, arrested two boys, 16, on suspicion of shoplifing after they were caught with £125 of goods.

PC Langmead said: “We have had really positive feedback.

“There are so many more officers around. It is making a difference.

You want people to feel safe and be safe.”

PC Langmead handed out 300 purse bell security devices at the start of the operation, which started early this year, in mid- November.

She said: “We are gathering more intelligence and there are known repeat offenders we are looking out for.

“It is working really well with the security guards and CCTV officers as well. They are really switched on.”

During the first three weeks of the operation, 44 people were arrested for theft, drug possession and on outstanding warrants.

A total of 12 fines were issued for theft and 43 stop-and-searches carried out. Twelve “section 22”

warnings, allowing police to ban a person from the town centre for up to 24 hours for being a nuisance, were issued.

Officers are also meeting with shops and businesses twice a week to discuss the operation.