Shops ban warning to town's troublemakers

New exclusion orders are coming into place in a bid to protect businesses from crime.

They mean that if someone is banned from one shop for stealing or yob behaviour, they will also be barred from the 39 other stores taking part in the

scheme.

The move is being driven by Halifax's town centre ambassadors, Calderdale Council's anti-social behaviour team, the police, the Halifax Business Against Crime Group, Marketing Halifax and the Woolshops.

They say they want to make it easier to ban shoplifters and those causing trouble.

Calderdale Council's Cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, Pauline Nash, said: "The council has joined forces with businesses and police to stop people who steal or cause trouble from entering any shop in Halifax.

"By working together we can take a stronger stance against crime and make the town a safer place to live and work."

Previously, troublemakers had to be served with anti-social behaviour orders before they could be banned from shops but the new orders can be issued directly to them by the council's anti-social behaviour team or police.

Calderdale Police's community safety Inspector, Derek

Benn, said: "The exclusion orders provide us with a very powerful deterrent which we will use not only for the sake of the businesses and shoppers but also those involved in committing crime.

"Halifax attracts people to enjoy the shops and entertainment and it's essential that we all play our part in ensuring the town continues to be a safe place to enjoy."

The campaign comes in the wake of the news that Halifax had been voted one of the best places in the country to go out by the Association of Town Centre Managers.