A CRACKDOWN on shoplifting in Malvern has been welcomed by businesses.

After a rise in the number of offences in the past year, West Mercia Police launched Operation Blast on Monday (September 22).

This aims to clamp down on shoplifting in the town, with the number of both plain-clothed and uniformed PCSO officers on patrol boosted.

One business leader has welcomed the increase in "boots on the ground".

Chris Marks, chairman of Great Malvern Association of Traders, said: "The police have done a very good job of taking this on.

"There has been a spate of shoplifting in Malvern and they've got boots on the ground and are doing everything they can do.

"It's good to know the police take this seriously."

One of the shops targeted in the past month was Iapetus Gallery, in Belle Vue Terrace.

Its owner Anna Brook had £600 worth of jewellery stolen on Monday, September 15, before she was visited by what she believes was the same man and an accomplice on Thursday 18.

Six personalised bangles were taken in the first instance by a thief who distracted staff, but on the second occasion workers at the shop called police and the two men left.

She said: "It's just gutting when you're a small business.

"The reaction has been anger really, at the cheek of it - that people who don't work for a living steal from those that do.

"99.9 per cent of people are brought up with a moral compass but unfortunately these people aren't.

"It's a great reassurance to see the police are around and how quickly they respond."

On the second occasion, she labelled one of the men "dumb" for seeming to stare directly at the store's CCTV cameras.

Cameras were installed at Iapetus two years ago after a previous incident of shoplifting.

Malvern Hills Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Steph Brighton said: "We are proactively tackling offences of shoplifting through Operation Blast and working with retailers.

"The public may not notice the increased police presence but just because they can't see us doesn't mean we're not there."

Another firm that has been the victim of shoplifters is retailer Wilkinson.

Garry Harrison, Malvern store manager welcomed the police activity.

Posters displaying the message ‘Shoplifters beware’ have also been put up around the town.

A ‘Shopwatch’ scheme launched earlier this year, and Inspector Brighton urged any firms who have not yet signed up to do so.

She also encouraged residents to follow @MalvernCops on Twitter for updates on police activity in the town.

Anyone with information on shoplifting incidents should call 101 or by Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.