More police officers and special constables will be in and around Bradford city centre in the run up to Christmas to deter shoplifters.
As part of Operation Shocker, Special Constables and police officers will have a high visibility presence as offenders are warned they face certain conviction if they shoplift or purse dip in the city centre.
The warning comes as latest figures show that from April to October 2013 264 offences were reported, a drop from the 323 offences from October 2012 to April 2013.
Jon Best, crime manager for the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that there were many reasons for the drop in shoplifting.
“We work very well with City Centre Beat and have really strong links with security staff from retailers,” he said.
“I think when we catch people we are dealing with them better than before and our detection rate (which means a sanction is imposed, such as a caution, or conviction) in the city is higher than ever before.
“More people are coming through and less are leaving with no sanction. We are getting better evidence from security guards and CCTV images. And once people are caught, the guards know who to look out for.”
As part of Operation Shocker, which runs until January there will be high-visibility patrols.
Mr Best said: “We are aware as Christmas approaches that the need to commit crime goes up.
“We have a group of Specials volunteers, who volunteer up to 1,000 hours a month between them, and they are now aligned to police officers.
“The Specials have the same powers as police officers and go on patrol with the NPT.
“It is about bolstering with extra police officers and PCSOs at the right time.
“Shoplifters that come and try to commit theft in Bradford are more likely to get caught than anywhere else in West Yorkshire and when they are caught they will get prosecuted.
“The City Beat network is very effective at preventing crime and catching people doing it.”
Appealing to the public, Mr Best said: “People need to look after their mobile phones, making sure their bags are shut, because it is not just shoplifters, but purse dippers. Poeple come in with large amounts of cash for Christmas presents and the last thing you want is someone taking it out of your bag, so be vigilant when out in the city.”