Prolific shoplifters sent christmas card by the police

The card being sent out. Credit: NERCP

Shoplifters in the North East will receive a Christmas card from the police advising them to avoid crime over the festive period.

The top 300 prolific shoplifters will receive a specially designed Christmas card which will be hand delivered to their front doors. The initiative aims to reduce retail crime in the run up to Christmas.

The message inside the card. Credit: NECRP

The North East Retail Crime Partnership (NERCP) have teamed up with Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire police forces to organise the scheme.

The card was designed by a Darlington primary school pupil who has taken part in the #Shopwise project ran by NERCP’s charity Northumbria Coalition Against Crime. #Shopwise aims to divert young people from retail crime via interactive workshops in partnership with retailers.

Sarah Bird, Head of the Business Crime at the NERCP said: