SUSPECTED shoplifters could have their images instantly posted online as part of a bid to stamp out theft.Bury St Edmunds is the fourth town nationally to set up a website for shop-keepers in which up to date information about suspicious incidents and shoplifting offences are posted to keep others informed and on guard.

SUSPECTED shoplifters could have their images instantly posted online as part of a bid to stamp out theft.

Bury St Edmunds is the fourth town nationally to set up a website for shop-keepers in which up to date information about suspicious incidents and shoplifting offences are posted to keep others informed and on guard.

Paid for by Bury Town Centre Management, the new website system has already attracted attention from the likes of the Metropolitan Police Service which is interested in launching a similar scheme in London.

Town centre manager Steve Peters said: “The scheme will include incidents as well as pictures, details on suspects or CCTV stills.

“As an added bonus, you can also search other participating towns for certain incidents, for example possible suspects who may be focusing on a particular chain store but in separate towns.”

Participants in the project include Suffolk police, CCTV control rooms, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, businesses and the town management team.

It is part of a new scheme piloted in East Anglia. Norfolk Constabulary is planning to sign up with a scheme covering the entire county.