SHOPLIFTERS in Brighton are to be forced to pay up to £150 compensation to stores under a

pioneering initiative launched today.

The town is the first in the South to introduce private prosecutions to crack down on a problem which costs

£2 billion across the country every year.

As well as the civil prosecutions, offenders will still face normal police action.

More than 20 stores have teamed up for the scheme.

The first two, BhS in Churchill Square and Boots in North Street, launched the campaign today and will soon be followed by another 23.

People caught stealing will be privately prosecuted and will face demands to pay up to £150 compensation.

Stores including Sainsbury, Safeway, Superdrug, WH Smith and HMV will band together to fund the cost of the private prosecutions.

Sussex Polices welcomed the move, which officers believe will help drastically reduce the amount of crime in the town. A spokesman said: "It has been trialed in a number of other places in the country recently.

"It means that when criminals are dealt with by the police, shops can also take out a private prosecution.

"It should help the people involved in shoplifting realise that they will have to suffer the consequences.

"They will still go to court and face criminal charges. The scheme is in addition to that.

"The aim is to get the message round the criminal community. The deterrent factor is very important."

The programme aims to give stores the chance to recover the money lost through shoplifting, with each offence estimated to cost more than £150. Currently only eight per cent of shoplifters are prosecuted.

The proceeds from civil recovery will be split between charities, including Victim Support, and crime prevention.

The first civil court cases will be heard in the next six weeks.

Boots manager Paul Holliss said: "We are totally committed to civil recovery. We are sure it will help us and other retailers to deter theft."

An HMV spokesman said: "The focus of this programme is on

effective deterrent. At the moment people who shoplift know there is a good chance it will not be pursued.

"However, if there is something which can be put into practice immediately, then shoplifters may think twice."

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