Persistent shoplifters are the scourge of town centre stores, costing them thousands of pounds every week in stolen goods.

It's tempting for many people to think of shoplifting as one of the less serious offences and that stores can easily cover their losses.

But many of these shoplifters are professional criminals who should be stopped.

Their activities result in higher prices at the tills for honest customers.

Now police and city centre traders in Brighton are appointing a crime tsar to tackle this pernicious form of crime.

The tsar will make life as tough as possible for these crooks along with thieves, thugs and other people who cause trouble in store.

If these measures are successful, the shoplifters will see crime does not pay.