A PROLIFIC thief has been banned from 17 Bridport shops in the latest crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Shoplifter David Cant, 31, has been issued with an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) by magistrates.

He is now banned from the shops in East Street, West Street and South Street, which are members of the Radiolink scheme.

He has also been warned about his behaviour while in other shops in the town. Bridport Police Sergeant Jamie Clark said: "David Cant is a prolific shoplifter and this order will prevent him from committing these crimes within the Bridport area.

"This relatively new legislation is effective, allowing the police to arrest those in breach and place them before the court."

Cant appeared at Blandford Magistrates' Court on two charges of shoplifting and breach of bail. He was sentenced to two months in prison for each offence, to run concurrently and one month for breach of bail.

Due to time spent in custody he has served this sentence.

Police applied for an ASBO asking the court to ban Cant from the town centre - but after Cant's defence team appealed against a total ban, the area was defined by the retailers who are members of the town's Radiolink scheme. Cant is also prohibited from acting or inciting others to act in an anti-social manner.

Sgt Nikki Pardey, said: "The government has given us powerful legislation within the Anti Social Behaviour act and this is an excellent example of it being used to protect retailers in Bridport who for many years have been on the receiving end of David Cant's anti-social behaviour.

"Not only has he stolen from their shops, he has threatened and abused staff who have tried to uphold the law. Retailers should not have to put up with this kind of behaviour."

Sgt Pardey added: "If anyone witnesses David Cant breaching the order in any way they should report it to Bridport Police. A breach can be dealt with retrospectively, so it doesn't matter if he has already left the store."

Tony Boughton, president of Bridport's Chamber of Trade said: "This has been a massive problem in the town. There have been particular groups who are persistently making a nuisance and thieving so I think this is a good thing.

"We liaise quite a lot with the police trying to encourage these sorts of things (ASBOs). There are quite a lot of traders in town, like New Look, even though they have quite good security systems, and Homestyle, who have been affected, so yes, I think this is excellent.

"I think it will help the situation and will also make those people who are considering offending aware of the fact and will maybe stop them trying do things."

Maria Follan, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for West Dorset District Council, said: "This order is necessary to protect the community of Bridport and to enable shop staff to feel safe in their work environment."