Restraining orders are the justice ministry’s latest weapon in the fight against shoplifters.

National daily De Telegraaf writes that legislation coming into effect later this year will allow public prosecutors to impose restraining orders banning shoplifters from entire shopping districts.

At present, shopkeepers can bar shoplifters from entering their shops on an individual basis, but the justice ministry wanted to take things a step further. A spokesperson for the justice ministry told De Telegraaf they hope it will be an effective strategy. "Imposing restraining orders on shoplifters is a good example of the kind of punishment we favour.”

Last year shopkeepers imposed a record 10,000 bans on individual shoplifters. The organisation for small and medium-sized businesses said it was pleased with the new measure. A spokesperson said that a restraining order would be a much stronger deterrent than a shop ban.

The economic damage caused by shoplifting in 2010 increased to about 350 million euros. About 35,000 shoplifters were caught in the act.

(gsh/ae)

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