WARMINSTER'S police chief is warning traders to be on their guard this Christmas amid an increase in shoplifting.
Insp Geoff Miles has written to all shops urging them to step up security and make better use of their police radio network.
Police believe shoplifting gangs from outside the county have been targeting Warminster and are keen to reduce the town's appeal to thieves. The latest incident, on Monday, saw a 30-year-old man from Yeovil arrested after he was found with a van full of up to £500 of stolen goods.
Insp Miles said: "It would appear that the town centre is seen as a soft option due to the fact there is little or no prevention in the form of in-store security.
"Our information suggests that goods are being placed near to the exits of stores, making it easy to escape with stolen property."
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