Fearful stores resort to 160,000 shoplifting bans

Frustration at lack of police action despite soaring violence

- Jon Austin

MORE than 160,000 persistent shoplifters were banned from stores last year, amid claims of a lack of action by police.

Special deals are being struck in which offenders are excluded rather than prosecuted, with a threat of a burglary charge if they return to steal.

There are concerns too many retailers are being forced to take independent action to combat Britain's soaring shoplifting epidemic.

The British Retail Consortium said: "Retailers use banning orders to fill the gap between the number of events and police action with 164,000 issued in the last year."

The revelation comes as Home Bargains became the latest outlet to use a controversial facial recognition system to identify and ban known offenders.

It has also launched a £500 reward scheme for customers who provide details about shoplifting and abuse through a confidential hotline.