MORE than 100 troublemakers and thieves have been banned from town centre shops as part of Havering Council's bid to crack down on theft and antisocial behaviour in Romford.
The Safe and Sound Day scheme, launched in 2011, saw council officials join forces with retailers from the Mercury, Liberty and Brewery shopping centres to target those who cause significant trouble or shoplift.
Shops which have signed-up to the scheme display the Safe and Sound sticker indicating that those who have been banned from one business will automatically be banned from the other 100 retailers in the scheme.
Images of those 114 told to stay away have also been circulated between retailers who share images of individuals and keep in contact and share information with the police via town link radio.
Cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Geoff Starns, said: "Havering is one of the safest boroughs in London and we want to keep it that way. However, we still work hard to make sure that those who attempt to commit crime or put residents' safety at risk are dealt with in the most efficient way possible.
"Retail theft makes a huge dent in the profits of the local economy and, to deal with that gap, retailers will obviously put up their prices, meaning that honest shoppers will have to bear the brunt.
"Antisocial behaviour and shoplifting will not be tolerated in Havering and the Safe and Sound scheme is our way of joining forces with local businesses to show a united front."
The Safe and Sound scheme is delivered by Havering Council and bans that are issued can last up to two years.
