Police said Witney's CCTV radio scheme helped officers arrest four suspected shoplifters in the town.

Employees at Boots, which has signed up to the radio system, spotted what they believed to be three suspected shoplifting incidents on Monday.

Each time, the store informed the CCTV control room who were able to pass the information to officers and other premises on the radio link.

In one incident, a 25-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested in Waitrose after allegedly shoplifting from Boots.

A 68-year-old woman and 22-year-old woman were also arrested earlier in the day in separate incidents on suspicion of shoplifting. They have all been bailed until May 17.

West Oxfordshire commander Chief Insp Jack Malhi said: “The more retailers who are signed up to the radio system the better, as vital information is passed on between premises and incidents can be nipped in the bud.”

Jill Dunsmore, district council cabinet member with responsibility for communities, said: “The link-up between the control room and retailers has been a great success and has helped to promote safety and peace of mind for everyone.

“CCTV now covers Wesley Walk and the new Marriotts development as well as the town centre. More than 40 retailers and licensed premises are linked via the walkie talkie radios, but we are hoping to increase this number.”

Businesses in the town who are interested in joining the CCTV radio scheme should contact the Safer Communities Partnership on 01993 861000.