CREWE police have launched a crackdown on credit card fraudsters and shoplifters in the run-up to Christmas.

Shopkeepers in the area have been invited to attend a special seminar where they will be told the best ways to combat thieves who take advantage of the busy festive season.

DI Sam Naylor of Crewe CID said: "Retail crime is costing the country billions of pounds a year.

"This will be a professional seminar which could save shopkeepers a considerable amount of money."

The TSB Bank's credit card services department will be in attendance, as will a representative from Marks and Spencer to talk about shoplifting.

Police believe that a lot of shop-related crime could be curbed if staff were given proper training in how to recognise scams.

The distraction tricks used by thieves will be explained, as can the proper way to check a credit card's signature.

DI Naylor said: "Often there will be someone in charge who will have a team of males who go around stealing the cards.

"The cards will then be brought in again to this 'figurehead' who will then distribute them to teams of females, who often have children who are taught to behave in a disruptive manner.

"These women will then use the cards to obtain as much money and goods as possible before returning to the control centre, where the goods are redistributed.

"It is certainly a big business."

Cath Murphy of the TSB Bank in Crewe explained: "It's knowing what to look for. People will often only glance at a card instead of going through the proper procedure."

And DS Tony Kehoe of Crewe Police Crime Prevention Office explained: "We want to let shopkeepers and their staff know what is going on. It might have been some time since they have had any training. We want to highlight it in their minds so they can go back and start training."

The seminar, which costs £18, will explain the best ways to combat thieves and what to look for. It takes place on November 6 at South Cheshire College, Crewe. For more details, contact DC Graham Piggott at Crewe Police on 01244 613353.

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