SOUTHEND could take up a new “Facewatch” scheme, sending photographs of suspected criminals to people's phones.

The initative would see businesses uploading CCTV to the police immediately - to increase the chance of catching shoplifters.

These images can then be approved for an ‘app’ so Smartphone users can quickly download and identify them.

The scheme is being considered by the new Business Improvement District (BID)which was set up in Southend last week.

Traders plumped for the BID, backed by the Echo, to inject new life into the town centre through innovative projects - and will pay an extra 1.5 per cent on their rates over the next five years.

Dawn Jeakings, chairman of the BID board and manager at the Royals Shopping Centre, said: “If you look at our business plan for the proposal for the BID we looked at a sharing information scheme in there and this probably fits the bill.

The group is currently setting up a team of three “street rangers” working in the town, by early May, to link with police to stamp out crime.

These will be given hand-held units which will be ideal for uploading any images - and necessary information. The idea is that it is more discreet than Townlink Radio and images could also be circulated among traders.

Andy Levy, 54, owner of Andrews Jewellers in Southchurch Road, said he would back the scheme as he believes circulating CCTV works. He uploaded pictures to Facebook and provided them to straight to the Echo after Dorian McCallum stole a gold chain from his shop. The 33-year-old, of Woodland Vale Road, in St Leonards-on-Sea, east Sussex, was soon identified and sentenced to 42 days in prison.

The “app” also enable police to upload mugshots of wanted people they need the public to identify.