A CRACKDOWN on shoplifting is being launched by Lancashire Police even before the pre-Christmas rush begins.

Shopping experts are urging bargain hunters to hit stores early in a bid to beat the effects of the credit crunch.

But police in Burnley are warning prolific thieves that their chances of embarking on a ‘shopping’ spree will be severely limited.

Patrol officers with responsibility for the town centre are launching a series of measures to counter the shoplifting problem.

These are starting in Not In My Neighbourhood Week, which is ongoing across the division.

The police CCTV van will be touring more hotspots in a bid to keep a close watch on known offenders.

And patrols will be stepped up across Charter Walk, St James Street, and surrounding shopping streets in the hunt for would-be thieves. Neighbourhood sergeant Craig Leech said: “Shoplifting isn’t a problem through-out the town, rather thieves target specific shops.

“It is these shops that we plan to concentrate our efforts on during the run up to the festive season.

“All of the stores know who they are and will hopefully be working with us to prevent and detect theft which not only costs stores hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, but also raises crime levels which in turn affects overall public reass-urance.

“Our message to offenders is clear.

“Shoplifting is not acceptable here in Burnley.

“Both store security officers and the police are taking firm action against thieves and where there is clear evidence of offences, people will be put before the courts.”

Police have taken out anti-social behaviour orders against the town’s worst offenders, which bars them from particular stores or shopping streets.