THE failure of local retailers to report shoplifting is playing into the hands of thieves, Tavistock's community policeman warned this week.

PC Dave Grimbly said some local businesses did not report theft, dramatically reducing any chance they may have had of recovering stock.

'We would like to encourage retailers to report thefts, especially in the run-up to Christmas, even if they consider losses very minor,' he said. 'It may only be a small piece of a jigsaw, but that piece may be the one to complete the picture.'

PC Grimbly said the police property store was overflowing with retrieved property waiting to be claimed and they were obliged to return any unclaimed goods to the alleged offenders if they could not prove it stolen.

He said people complained they did not see the police patrolling the streets —but they were not helping themselves.

'We operate problem-orientated policing nowadays — putting resources where they are needed. If people don't tell us about their problems they won't get policed,' he said.