A CRIME-free festive season is top of the Christmas list for Poole police.

And officers are already out on the streets as part of the appropriately named Operation Jangle 2 endeavouring to achieve that aim.

Following the success of high-visibility policing last year, the town's beat team is pursuing a similar policing in the run-up to Christmas.

Shoplifters and anti-social troublemakers are among the groups being squeezed out of the town by the police initiative.

"Officers from the Poole town beat team will be supported by other resources in seeking to deter street and retail crime, while dealing positively with incidents of anti-social behaviour," said Sgt Richard Hutley.

During the past year the beat team has worked closely with the community and shopkeepers to tackle crime problems encountered around the town centre.

The higher visibility policing is also a way of making people feel more secure as they go about their festive shopping and sends a message to criminals to stay away.

The police are also working closely with retailers and security staff to catch shop thieves.

Last year's initiative was praised by town centre retailers who reported a drop in shoplifting.

Sgt Hutley added: "This year's Christmas initiative will seek to reduce the incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour further whilst reassuring the public and reducing the fear of crime."