A crime-busting scheme to thwart shoplifters by equipping traders in Shipley with hand-held radios has been so successful its organisers hope to extend it to more shops in the town.

Police say Shipley is rapidly becoming a no-go area for thieves following the introduction of the Business Watch Radio Scheme earlier this year.

Shop owners have rented hand-held radios - at a cost of £5 per week - which provide a link to CCTV operators and local police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) so they can report crime such as burglary and shoplifting as it happens.

Well-known thieves have been caught and prosecuted as a direct result of the scheme, said Sergeant Khalid Khan, of Keighley Police.

Now the business which runs Business Watch, SiteLink Communications, is looking for more companies in Shipley to come on board.

A spokesman for SiteLink said shops were now facing the threat of well-equipped professional thieves working in teams, as well as an increase in "traditional" shoplifters in the run-up to Christmas.

Regional manager Iain Ross said: "The scheme has proven to be a great success for the retailers and the local police. We are now looking to offer the opportunity to other retailers, so they can be aware of what is going on in Shipley."

Sgt Khan said: "We find that as soon as the PCSOs shout that there is a shoplifter in town, everybody will come out of their shops and be aware of who they are looking for.

"Two weeks ago, we had some thieves who went into staff areas in shops to steal. The information that they were there was passed quickly to the PCSOs who let everyone know. They were caught and were charged with two burglaries in Shipley and a similar offence in Ilkley.

"The Business Watch scheme gives members confidence to report crimes. Previously, the offences went unreported, now people are more aware of what is going on and they tell the police."

Barry Cooper, owner of FK Perkins jewellers in Shipley's indoor market, said: "I think it has taken a bit of time for people to get used to it but we have now got much better links with the CCTV and the police, who are both being really proactive. A number of people have been caught because of it.

"The police are also giving us lists of people who are wanted, so we know who to look out for."

Sgt Khan said: "These schemes are designed to make Shipley safer and the more people who get involved the better."