Monmouth shops including Iceland, Millets, New Look, WH Smith, Co-op, Boots and Marks & Spencer's are joining forces to help tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in the town.

The stores have joined Gwent Police to form the Monmouth Business Against Crime (MBAC) partnership.

The aim of MBAC is to reduce crime and increase the detection of crime by improving close links with shops and businesses in the town centre.

The new scheme includes regular intelligence-sharing meetings and free staff training in preventing crime.

Businesses are linked together by a two-way 'Storenet' radio system, which local officers are also linked to.

Members can then share information on offenders and any incidents occurring, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Monmouth town centre.

Members of MBAC are also part of the Exclusion Notice Scheme, which is used to ban trouble-makers and persistent offenders.

Banned offenders will have their photos circulated in an offender photo album which will be regularly updated.

The scheme has been set up through partnership working between Gwent Police and Monmouthshire County Council will be co-ordinated by PCSOs Dan Osgood and Alan Wakeling and has already had some good results.

PCSO Osgood said: "I have had a very positive response from the retailers in Monmouth.

"They are all in agreement that the partnership is a good idea and they can see the benefits of running the scheme in the town.

"During September, out of the eight crimes of shoplifting reported, seven were solved which is a great start for the partnership."

Richard Carr, of Iceland, said: "The scheme is great because you hear about dodgy characters hanging about from other shops and can keep an eye out for them.

"We all feel more secure in the store because we have the direct link radio to the police."

Steve Meade, from the Co-operative, said: "Previously there was no communication between stores.

"Now we have a direct link to each other and a meeting every month. We really feel that we are fighting crime."

Vikki Wadeley of Superdrug added: "Now we have a direct link to the circulating PCSOs it makes all the difference."

If any shops would like more information on becoming part of the MBAC partnership, contact PCSO Osgood or PCSO Wakeling on 01495 233904.

Pictured on the front page with PCSOs Osgood and Wakeling are Avril Hitchman (WH Smith), Richard Carr (Iceland), Steve Meade (Co-op), Vikki Wadeley (Superdrug) Beccie Harris and Jessica Hodges (Millets).