A SCHEME to tackle shoplifting in North Oxford is set to be introduced, but is dividing opion among traders.

Neighbourhood Police said they are in the early stages of setting up a Shopwatch scheme for Summertown.

Shop owners and businesses sign up to receive a personal radio which they use to communicate with each other if they see offenders move from shop to shop.

The radio link is also monitored by police who can assist if needed.

Neighbourhood Sgt Lis Knight said the move would aid businesses to prevent crime and will clearly assist in communication between shops.

She added: “We are very much in the embryonic stages of this but we have been approaching shops and businesses and seeing whether they would welcome the scheme.”

A similar initiative has been launched in Oxford city centre and Cowley and also in Wantage and Thame.

Shoplifting has remained a problem in Summertown over the years with around one shoplifting incident being reported in the neighbourhood every week.

But businesses the Oxford Mail spoke to had differing opinions about the idea.

The Helen & Douglas House vintage charity shop, which was recently targeted by thieves, said it would welcome the scheme.

The shop was broken into in May, costing the children and young adult people’s hospice charity about £500.

Manager Sandra Woodruff said: “Anything which drives down shoplifting in the area would be good.

“It’s odd, because Summertown has a villagey feel, but it does seem to have a problem with shoplifting.

“This could potentially be something we would be interested in.”

But others have yet to be convinced.

Emma Tattoo, manager of Pen to Paper stationery shop in Banbury Road, said she had been visited by police and told about the scheme.

She said: “I am reserving judgment at this stage.

“We haven’t noticed a particular problem with shoplifting at the moment.”

And Renee Holler, co-manager of the Book Shop in Banbury Road, added: “For us, I don’t know that it is worth it.

“We don’t really have a problem with shoplifting.

“People will tend to go to the bigger shops if they want to nick books.”