A CRIME-FIGHTING scheme aimed at making Birkenhead Town Centre a safer place to visit and shop in has won a prestigious national award.

The Safer Shopping Award was presented to Wirral mayor Cllr Hilary Jones by the British Retail Consortium last week.

The BRC sponsors the award, which recognises standards of management and operation by retail crime partnerships.

'Crime Alert' scheme is a partnership that develops communication and other systems to reduce crime against shops.

The partnership includes the magistrates' courts, crown prosecution service and Wirral council.

The scheme uses the council's CCTV as well as the Pyramids, Grange and the Markets' own systems.

There is also a Cop Shop in the Pyramids Shopping centre, supported by four dedicated police officers and community support patrols.

The town's own radio link has nearly 90 businesses using the system to share information and respond to calls for assistance.

Security staff employed by stores provide assistance whenever possible to smaller retail units.

An exclusion scheme in May saw six people banned from premises.

Photographs of prolific shoplifters and those excluded to the Crime Reduction Manager have been circulated by police to all those involved in the scheme.

And the work continues. Chris King, from the British Retail Consortium said: "The message is if you come to Birkenhead to shop then you will find bargains galore.

"You will be able to leave and return to your vehicle knowing it will be safe and you will be able to shop until you drop knowing that you are safe to do so."