WEST Midlands Police are promising to clamp down on shoplifters as the festive season approaches.

The force is stepping up efforts to target offenders and they also intend to get tough with people tempted to buy stolen goods.

Posters and postcards are set to be distributed to stores across the region encouraging people to share whatever information they have on shoplifting.

In addition to that, CCTV footage of wanted shoplifting suspects will be shared across the force's Facebook, Flickr and Twitter sites.

Ahead of the anticipated seasonal rise in retail crime, police have appealed to people who are considering buying the goods to think about what they are funding.

Superintendent Rich Baker said: "Most people wrongly believe that shoplifting is a victimless crime - but the reality is quite different.

"Our experience tells us that almost three quarters of all people who are brought into custody and test positive for drugs have been arrested on suspicion of thefts from shops or market stalls.

"If they hadn't been caught, they would have sold those goods and used the money to buy more drugs.

"That could have led to more dealers being attracted into the neighbourhood, doorstep disputes over unpaid debts, discarded needles in the street and criminal associates being drawn into the area to offend so they can pay for drugs as well.

"That's not to mention the negative impact the actual shoplifting has on store staff, who live in fear of violent attack from the thieves they challenge.

"By buying cheap cheese, meat, alcohol and anything else at a price too good to be true, people are simply fuelling a complex cycle of crime."