Shops are refusing entry to prominent thieves in a Christmas crackdown on shoplifting.

Photographs of known offenders have been distributed to shopkeepers and security staff in Brighton and Hove city centre so they can spot villains before they strike.

Refusing them entry has already paid dividends.

Reports of shoplifting in October fell 39 per cent from 81 per cent recorded in the same month last year.

The photographs have been supplied by Sussex Police to members of the city's Retail Crime Initiative.

The force is helping the Deter At Entry crackdown with extra high-visibility patrols.

Terry Davies, business manager for the City Centre Business Forum, said shoplifting was costing the country £2 billion a year and every household in Sussex was paying £100 a year extra on goods to cover the loss.

He said stopping thieves entering shops avoided confrontations for the mainly female members of staff when offences happened.

He said: "About 20 individuals' photographs are in our members' hands and the pictures are strictly controlled.

"The photographs are of active shoplifter and when they try to enter shops, our members will stop them by withdrawing the right to enter private property.

"They then radio other members to alert them."

More than 150 retailers are linked by radio and 80 per cent of Churchill Square stores have signed up to the scheme.

Mr Davies said members had seen a 15 per cent cut in shoplifting losses just by joining.

Many shops in Western Road and North Street have signed up and next year the forum intends to expand the scheme to St James's Street, London Road and George Street.