TRADERS have called for action to curb a shoplifting epidemic sweeping through the streets of Helensburgh over the past few months. The number of incidents reported to Helensburgh police has risen sharply, and business owners say thieves are costing them thousands of pounds in lost goods.

Between May and August this year, 33 shoplifting incidents have been reported to Helensburgh Police - 12 in May, 12 in June, four in July and five to date in August. But traders believe many more go undetected.

Thieves are using a range of techniques to steal goods, with some even using children to avoid detection by staff.

Andy Khan, who owns Hallmark Thorntons, said the shop has been 'hammered' by shoplifters in the past few months and has lost about �1,000 worth of stock.

He told the Advertiser: "On Friday, a man entered the card shop with a young girl and walked up and stole a large Yankee Candle, walked out and left the girl behind in the shop.

"He later returned to collect the girl, we caught him on CCTV and have handed it to the police. This is the second incident we have had where children may have been used to steal products. It is a big problem." Yvonne Pearson, who manages the Sinclair Street store said staff take regular stock counts throughout the day and all areas of the shop are covered by CCTV including outside the shop.

The most popular items with thieves are Yankee Candles which retail for �19.99, but cards and wedding items are also taken.

Community police officers PC Gus Daniel and PC Neil Gilmour provide foot patrols in the town centre and are carrying out Shopwatch on a regular basis.

The Shopwatch initiative is similar to the Pubwatch scheme which is already in existence, allowing retailers to meet with the police and voice their concerns.

The officers have hosted one meeting already and hope to roll this out and expand to further businesses.

Home Hardware, also on Sinclair Street, has also been affected by the crooks. Manager Ella Lawson said it was a 'nightmare but she is determined to stamp it out'.

She added: "It is rife, we have lost hundreds of pounds. We can tell by stock control through our tills so we know exactly what is missing and we are all being much more vigilant. It is not always people that you would expect - it is well-to-do people as well.

"One woman tried to leave the shop with bedding in a big bag for life, I notice before she left and tried to stop her. I ended up getting the stock back but she got away before I could contact the police.

"This shop is a shoplifters paradise with all the high shelves but we continually try to keep on top of it by having staff meetings and the police are also holding meetings.

"If I notice something suspicious or someone has tried to steal something I go over to Boots and tell them and they pass it on so that all the shops in the area know to watch out." Boots has also been targeted, but manager Alasdair MacKenzie believes this is expected with larger retailers, as most shoplifters target high-value goods like blades and fake tan.

He has praised the work of the community police, saying there is a good system in place: "We can get in contact with the two officers through a direct line and it is reassuring to know if anything happens they are there quickly." Traders are encouraged by police to ensure that CCTV systems are in good working order and if they wish advice on product placement around the store advice can be sought from PC Andy Crawford at Helensburgh Police Office.

Inspector Claire Miller, from Helensburgh Police Office, said: "Our Christmas shoplifting initiative was a success, we listened to the community who use the town centre and we continued with the patrols throughout the year, the officers have a great relationship with the business owners and their presence is felt. "The town centre is a major part of our community, it is important to ensure this area is policed efficiently."