A SHOPKEEPER in Weston is calling on fellow traders to start putting Shoplifter of the Week posters in their windows.

A SHOPKEEPER in Weston is calling on fellow traders to start putting Shoplifter of the Week posters in their windows.

Mark Canniford, aged 43, who owns a Londis store in the High Street opposite the Playhouse, believes criminals should be named and shamed rather than 'mollycoddled'.

The move comes after the conviction of a knife-wielding thief who pleaded guilty to stealing cash from a pregnant lady at the Londis store and threatening Mr Canniford.

Martin Long, aged 55, of Locking Road, Weston admitted charges of theft and possession of a bladed article at Bristol Crown Court last week.

Now Mr Canniford, who is also a Weston Town councillor, is calling for a change of attitude towards the town's criminals.

He said: "As a society we have been mollycoddling them for far too long and I am sick to death of it. I plan to put up the thief's photo in my shop window to shame him and I will be urging other shopkeepers in the town centre to do the same.

"Most people shudder at the thought of crime and disorder but it is here in the heart of our community and it is time people did something about it."

"Criminals should be named and shamed so they can be recognised in the street and perhaps it will urge them to leave town altogether.

"Earlier this year I chased Long through Weston's streets after I spotted him stealing £30 in cash from a lady who was paying for some goods.

"I vaulted the counter and pushed the man up against the side of the shop door.

"He pulled a knife so I immediately backed off but followed him at a safe distance while telephoning the police.

"I told them what had happened and tracked the thief to Somewhere to Go in The Boulevard where he was apprehended by police who found a knife on him."

Long is due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on September 27.