Police and shopkeepers are joining forces to keep tabs on suspected pickpockets and handbag thieves.

Officers in Brighton and Hove have arrested a dozen suspected pickpockets during the past six weeks and charged them with 14 offences.

Between them they are suspected of another 79 crimes still being investigated by the force. To combat pickpockets and handbag thieves, police officers are working with the city's Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) to keep tabs on suspects.

Photographs of 38 people have been sent to shops across the city so shopkeepers and security guards know who to look out for.

Once they spot suspects they can call a police hotline, quoting a reference number given for each suspect, helping the police work out where and when people on the list are visiting shopping areas.

Police officers will use the data to put together a map showing where pickpockets and handbag thieves operate, making it easier to catch them.

Lisa Perretta, from the BCRP, said: "We have circulated 150 Operation Barker sheets to key businesses in the city to help police with their blitz on handbag thieves.

"The same information will also be distributed to 80 night time venues. Our members are extremely happy with this initiative."

Detective Inspector Ian Pollard said: "As the weather gets warmer our beaches, cafes, pubs and restaurants will get busier and with that comes the risk of opportunistic thieves who are using this as a perfect time to steal purses, wallets, handbags and mobile phones and get away unnoticed.

"The police and the BCRP are doing all they can to target thieves and officers have already made some significant arrests.

"We will continue to use plain clothes officers to hunt down those who are making people's lives a misery."