A leading Brentwood councillor has threatened to "name and shame" High Street stores which do not take a tougher stance on shoplifting.
Cllr Barry Aspinell, chairman of the borough council's community safety panel, says he is concerned that the town centre is becoming a soft touch for shoplifters, many of whom steal to get money for drugs.
He spoke out after receiving a phone call from a concerned resident, who said she had visited the town centre four times in the last month, and each time had witnessed shoplifting taking place.
The panel has sent letters to the main stores in Brentwood, asking for representatives to meet with it and discuss the problem.
"If we get no response from the stores then we may name and shame them into adopting a more positive attitude to shoplifting," said Cllr Aspinell.
Published Tuesday, August 5, 2003
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