A recent increase in crime at independent jewellers in Carlisle has prompted a joint operation launch.

Cumbria Constabulary's neighbourhood policing team in the city have, with the Cumbria Safer Business Partnership and city-centre-based security personnel, carried out a joint operation involving uniformed and plain-clothes officers - launching the ShopSafe alert information-sharing platform. 

A police spokesperson said: "The aim of this initiative is to reduce business crime within this growing business community where jewellery, antique, second-hand furniture and auction and sales rooms can communicate with each other."

It comes as a week of action started on October 14 - the National Safer Business Week of Action - which aims to raise further awareness of business crime issues.

This type of crime is 'growing at a massive rate' nationwide and affects everyone with higher prices and business closures as a knock-on effect, according to Carlisle Business Crime Awareness.

The Carlisle chapter of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) is taking part in this week of action by working with the police, The Lanes Shopping Centre and other businesses in the city.

A spokesperson from the partnership said 'business engagement visits' by BCRP delegates as well as operations targeted at shoplifting and anti-social behaviour will take place throughout the week.