AN ingenious collaboration between the police and Skipton's retailers has proved a resounding success in tackling burglary.

Operation Annapurna involved shop owners spending the night on their premises while keeping in close contact with officers via Radiolink - a system of walkie-talkies linked with the police control room.

The operation, named after a Himalayan peak, meant most of the 28 Radiolinked stores took part on a rota system over three nights, with at least eight or nine shopkeepers laying in wait on each night.

A man was arrested during the first night of the operation.

Crime Prevention Officer PC Wayne Smith organised the innovative scheme in response to a marked increase in business burglaries, which reached a peak in November.

At least one arrest was made as a result of the operation, the latest in a long line of successes for police-trader relations.

Earlier this month we reported that Inspector Chris Chelton was delighted to report a 50 per cent reduction in shoplifting since the introduction of Radiolink last year.

PC Smith says businesses have saved hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of pounds with the reduction in stock-loss through shoplifting.

He and his colleagues are hoping the success of Radiolink and Operation Annapurna will stand as a warning to would-be offenders that Skipton is no soft touch.

PC Smith said: "We organised the operation as a result of a spate of burglaries in retail premises. Fifteen premises had been broken into between November 16 and 29. We had several people in mind who we were out to catch.

"Several shops were covered over the three nights, starting from November 30, and within two hours of the first night one shop owner was radioing us to say their shop was being broken into as they spoke.

"We were there in seconds and arrested the culprit. This is just another example of how Radiolink is enabling us to make more arrests, cut down on burglaries and stamp out shoplifting in town.

"It's such a good thing to be able to enlist the help of the traders to help us crack crime at night as well as during the day.

"Even people working in the chain stores were willing to give up their evenings to help out.

"Being able to work well with the local traders and residents has become even more important since Skipton had its bid for CCTV turned down earlier this year.

"The people can be our eyes and ears instead of electronic eyes on the street."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.