Ashby de la Zouch Town Council says its extensive town centre CCTV system should be highlighted as a deterrent to shop thieves and troublemakers.

Last month's planning and licensing committee meeting discussed the growing problem of shoplifting and threats to staff in the area.

But it was pointed out that Ashby town centre's CCTV system is capable of identifying individuals and more should be made of it in terms of visible signage.

Committee chair, Cllr Dave Bigby, said: "It might be worth us having a look at what the signage level is around the town.

"We can come back to this at the next meeting and possibly try to make it clearer that there is CCTV in the town. That would have a big deterrent effect.

"Perhaps we need a different approach."

Cllr Murrae Blair-Park said it should be made more obvious that people's faces can be caught on camera.

He said: "At Pubwatch meetings, we talk about CCTV and what we see on it.

"Do we generally feel that people realise that Market Street and the surrounding areas are covered by quite extensive CCTV.

"So, if you're up to something, or walking out of a supermarket with a bag of whatever - it'll be picked up.

"Whereas I'm not sure people know. It won't be the answer to everything, but it might just act as a deterrent and move them somewhere else.

"Also, we see CCTV shots on social media all the time.

"So, if it goes on, the CCTV people say they can see faces, pick out cars.

"I wonder it's one of those 'Smile you're on Candid Camera' things?"

Cllr Chris Smith also confirmed that North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen had not replied to a letter from the council asking him to support changes to the Criminal Justice Bill which would support shop workers.

Cllr Bigby added: "It was very disappointing that we didn't get any response from our MP."