SHOPLIFTERS will soon have to pay for their crimes after a new effort to deter theft in the stores across Lancaster and Morecambe was launched.

The scheme was the brainchild of the police and retailers in the area following a £2billion loss in the retail industry in 2002.

That was despite £650million being spent on security measures in shops and stores.

But now thieves will be targeted and retailers can claw back the cash from the offender through the courts by civil debt recovery companies.

When an offender has been charged or cautioned for an offence, the retailer can instruct a civil debt recovery company to take further action.

Award Says Inspector Phil Coupe: "Any court orders made will compensate the retailer financially and unlike criminal court fines they are never reduced.

"This approach is designed to discourage stealing from shops and stores. Not only will they receive a punishment in the criminal courts, but also the civil courts.

He says the civil debt recovery company can confiscate property belonging to the offender to cover any award made by the court.

The court can also obtain an order for employers to make payments direct to the retailer and obtain a charge over any house the offender owns.

Adds Insp Coupe: "It is all about trying to get the message across that theft from shops is not acceptable and I think that it will deter people if there is a realistic likely hood of them having to repay the money.

"We will investigate and deal with the criminal action, but this means that the retailer can do take positive action as well."

He says the scheme will complement the police's action of taking people to court and the help the police give to retailers on crime prevention to stop thieves in the first place.

Ann Morris of Lancaster Chamber of Commerce welcomes the news and believes any deterrent is a useful tool.

"We support any initiative which helps to cut crime against businesses. Any initiative is helpful and acts as an additional deterrent, although pursuing some individuals may be fruitless."

She adds: "Anyone who commits a crime should pay for it."