Nineteen people banned at Dudley's Merry Hill centre
Nineteen people have been banned from the Merry Hill shopping centre since a new crackdown on troublemakers began almost three weeks ago.
Police launched the zero tolerance scheme to reduce anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and other crimes around the complex. They want to create a safer environment for shoppers.
They said today a total of 19 shoppers had now received bans ranging from three months to a year after being caught on head-cams used by officers and security teams.
The crackdown also aims to tackle cheque or card fraud, assaults against business employees and alcohol related violence.
Sgt Andy Springthorpe said: "We will be increasing patrols on the run up to Christmas and sharing information about offenders with the security and shops in the centre.
"A no-tolerance approach will be used by the team of officers and security staff to ensure that the Merry Hill Centre continues to be a low crime area.
"The head-cams will allow us to film areas such as the bus station, giving us an extra pair of eyes to help us prevent incidents before they happen".
Among the first to receive bans was a 23-year-old man from Bilston, who was excluded for 12 months.
