TRADERS could be uploading their own CCTV footage of shoplifting direct to police in a bid to speed up convictions and free up officers' time.

It is hoped the project, which is due to be trialled at seven stores across Reading town centre, will cut the number of man hours it takes to investigate thefts.

Currently whenever a case of theft is reported an available police officer or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has to personally visit a store to take copies from any in-house cameras and written statements from staff.

Speaking at the Reading Business Improvement District's (BID) AGM Sergeant Rob Pitman of Thames Valley Police explained how the new system could work.

He said: "If you get a shoplifter you can upload your CCTV automatically and submit a pro forma witness statement.

"And that will cut out all the toing and froing.

"That will free up the PCSOs from picking up the CCTV and then they can spend more time out and about and bringing people to justice."

The plan is due to be given a soft launch in June and will be powered by a computer system known as DISC - which also allows stores in the wider area to share images of known offenders.

Reading BID has agreed to fund the software as part its work to boost security for traders and comes after a number of crunch meetings to tackle shoplifting and assess how prepared businesses are against fraudsters and the growing terror threat.

In the last year the group, which is funded by a small levy on business rates to commission extra services, has provided more than 9,000 extra hours of PCSO presence around the town centre.

Bobby Lonergan, Reading BID Manager, said: "A more secure Reading town centre is a key objective of Reading BID 2014-19.

"Through the BID, town centre businesses have invested significantly in making Reading town centre a safe place to visit and work by directly funding five PCSOs, a CCTV operative and working with partners, including Thames Valley Police on a wide range of security initiatives.

"The BID, in partnership with Reading Businesses Against Crime (RBAC), is currently exploring a project to fund and support the introduction of the DISC system to improve retail and business security.

"This, it is hoped, will reduce the administrative workload of PCSOs, freeing up their time to patrol the town centre."