GANGS of organised shoplifters have swept through Otley, leaving some traders calling for more police presence in the town.

Over three days last week, traders in Kirkgate were hit by a gang of thieves who got away with goods worth £150 in at least four shops.

Other traders are still examining their shelves to find out if they were also victims of the gang.

Lisa Allen, manager at The Greeting Store, had most of her stock of Wallace and Gromit items stolen during a two-day shoplifting spree.

She said: "On Wednesday we had two Shawn the Sheep rucksacks, an 18in Gromit soft toy, a smaller Gromit soft toy and a Shawn the Sheep soft toy taken.

"On Saturday, they seem to have come back and taken the rest of the Wallace and Gromit stuff," she added.

"I haven't bothered to report it to the police because they don't seem to be able to do anything about it.

"I have been here for 14 months and in that time I have only seen a policeman walk down Kirkgate twice," she said.

James Barber, owner of Barber's Tobacconists, said he was amazed at the audacity of the gang.

"We have got security cameras in the shop and they obviously just didn't care. They have taken a whole card of Ronson lighters, which were at the back of the shop counter, as well as a Kershaw multi-tool.

"I think they were obviously a professional gang. High-tech surveillance equipment in Leeds is pushing them out to places like Otley," he added.

Nor were charity shops spared by the gang. Pets Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), manager Jane Currie said stock was always being stolen.

"Shoes, leather jackets, Levi jeans, anything that can be sold on is taken. Shoplifting is bad enough in a normal shop but when the money we raise goes to charity, it's even worse," she said.

Malcolm Busby Sports in Kirkgate Arcade was targeted on Friday. Only the prompt action of the owner prevented a gang of would-be thieves making off with a dozen Leeds United replica jerseys.

Mr Busby said: "I spotted this couple stood outside and he was just about to put the shirts into his bag when I stared him down and he went off."

All the traders said they would be very interested in a ShopWatch Scheme and said if there were police officers out and about on foot it might act as a deterrent.

The idea of a revised ShopWatch Scheme was first raised by Otley Police Inspector Sheila Spencer in July last year.

A public meeting, organised by Otley Police, is to be held on June 4 at 6.30pm at the town's Civic Centre.

Tonia Hearne, president of the Otley Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "Because we want this ShopWatch Scheme to be open to all traders, not just Chamber members, the publicity and promotion for it is being carried out by the police.

"To make it work, everyone has to make the effort. Each trader would just have to make a couple of phone calls. But, if they don't, then the scheme won't work," she said.

Sgt Tom Horner said traders should report any incidents of shoplifting as soon as possible.

"We may have an officer on foot in the town or a patrol unit nearby. The sooner we know about these gangs of shoplifters, the sooner we can do something about them," he said.

"We hope the ShopWatch or TownWatch Scheme, we are not sure which it will be yet, will help.

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