SHOPLIFTERS will be banned from Festival Place and The Malls under a new initiative announced today.

The scheme is supported by Hampshire Constabulary, who will pass on photos of those involved in theft offences, or anti-social behaviour, to both shopping centres.

Steven Connolly, centre director at Festival Place, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with both the police and The Malls on this initiative to ensure the town continues to be a safe and welcoming environment to all of our visitors.”

Paul Littlehales, shopping centre manager at The Malls, said: “We are pleased to be part of the Basingstoke Town Centre Partnership, to ensure that the small minority who wish to disrupt Basingstoke’s excellent shopping environment, will be dealt with quickly, correctly and in agreement with our other partners.”

Town Centre Inspector Marcus Cator said police officers regularly patrol both shopping centres and will take appropriate action against those committing crimes and behaving anti-socially.