The number of shoplifting offences in Bradford city centre has plummeted, thanks to a crime-busting partnership, it was revealed today.

Retailers have welcomed a 41 per cent drop in shoplifting offences over four years as offenders are targeted through the City Centre Beat (CCB) initiative, which aims to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Between January and November there were 554 offences, compared with 937 in the same period in 2006, when the partnership was formed.

The findings buck the national trend which saw shoplifting rise by a third in the year to January, 2009, to 498,405 – almost one a minute.

Based in the Kirkgate Centre, the partnership – which includes the police, retailers and Bradford Council – operates through members sharing and distributing intelligence to catch and deter criminals.

Membership stands at 175 retailers and businesses who use radio links to alert each other, as well as picking up information through the CCB website and from visits by CCB managers.

They are also able to liaise with Bradford’s CCTV control room. A banning scheme for shoplifters has proved effective.

“The figures are excellent,” said Steve Longbottom, of City Centre Beat with Steve Baker. “The national trend has been up, partly linked to the recession. All the measures we have implemented have resulted in the drop in figures.”

City Ward Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Kevin Pickles is delighted that their efforts are making an impact.

He said: “This is tremendous news and shows that by working together in a co-ordinated and targeted way we can make significant reductions in crime.

Mark Plovie, intelligence co-ordinator for the partnership, said: “Personally, I’m not a lover of statistics – my main concern is that people have confidence in the police and this partnership.

“But having said that, these figures are remarkable.”

Bill McCormack, operations manager at the Kirkgate Centre, said: “This is very good news.

“Many potential shoplifters know we are aware of them and are watching out for them.”