SHOPS will soon have a new weapon in the fight against crime - a photo album full of crooks!

Mugshots of criminals who continually target Preston town centre will be distributed so store staff can watch out for potential trouble-makers and even refuse them entry.

The police initiative which has already been challenged in the courts as a breach of civil liberties, is set to hit the streets of Preston next month. In 1995 after protests from a persistent offender in Derbyshire, a judge ruled that officers can issue these photos for the purposes of crime prevention.

Police say there are strict controls on who sees the pictures, juveniles cannot be put on the list, and only limited details can be included.

Preston will become the first North West division to introduce the scheme following successes in Derby, London and Dorset. Officers have around 20 offenders in mind for the first list which will be reviewed every three months.

Sergeant Paul Gooch of Preston Police said: "Shop crime affects everyone in the long-term - the customer pays through increased prices.

The response from shopkeepers has been positive." The initiative will be launched next month.

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