A SCHEME to make thieves responsible for the costs incurred by their crime is to be introduced at Asda's stores throughout East Lancashire.
The company - which has stores in Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington - has adopted the National Civil Recovery programme in all of its 255 stores nationwide.
The scheme attempts to recover the costs of goods stolen, CCTV surveillance, colleague time and clerical costs straight from the culprit without the need to go to court. Any monies gained from the scheme is then ploughed in to crime prevention initiatives by Asda's and security equipment in its stores.
Phil Hamilton, general store manager at Blackburn, said some stores which already have the scheme have seen crime slashed by almost half.
He said: "The scheme sends a strong message that shoplifting is a crime that doesn't pay, especially as the thief foots the bill.
"While at the same time monies claimed go direct to use in our stores to help prevent future crime."
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