POLICE have employed a reformed shoplifter in their campaign to deter crime in Gorleston High Street in the run-up to Christmas.PC Jason Howell, from the Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team, came up with the idea of asking a former shoplifter to critically examine the security arrangements of High Street shops.

POLICE have employed a reformed shoplifter in their campaign to deter crime in Gorleston High Street in the run-up to Christmas.

PC Jason Howell, from the Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team, came up with the idea of asking a former shoplifter to critically examine the security arrangements of High Street shops. The results of the survey are still being analysed but PC Howell said: has opened my eyes to areas within the town that I have not previously considered as being an easy opportunity for thieves to target.

“It has been very enlightening and will hopefully give me better knowledge to keep me one step ahead of the local criminals.”

Simple ways of deterring thieves that were highlighted in the survey include manning a till at the front of a shop, or having staff at the back of a store in an elevated position so they can see down to the front.

PC Howell is compiling a security report that he will distribute to retailers.