MUGSHOTS of shoplifters are being given out to retailers in North Yorkshire to help tackle the criminals.

Books of photographs of known offenders are being given to shop staff to help them identify the crooks in Northallerton.

The photos were supplied by North Yorkshire Police with the retailer’s organisation Business Against Crime in Hambleton (Bach).

Bach co-ordinator David Tucker said: "Stealing from shops is not acceptable – in the run up to Christmas or at any time.

"It makes it more difficult for businesses to provide their best service to customers and ultimately it leads to price increases or business closures.

"Our message to anyone who has ever committed a shop theft or who is thinking of doing so now is – there are more systems in place now to catch you…don’t try it."