Holding Littlehampton shop system to account

Susan Smith, who lives in the town, has set up a Facebook group calling for the organisation, which is run and maintained by town centre traders, to establish a clear complaints procedure.

"It is not fair people can be branded shoplifters without trial," she said.

Damaging reputations

"It can have a huge impact on people, damaging their reputation in such a small town."

She added this was particularly true of teenagers who may have been in trouble in the past, but were trying to turn their lives around.

"People have been stalked through the High Street, followed and humiliated, purely on the say-so of a few traders."

The organisation, though, said that anyone who was not happy with the way they had beentreated could file a complaint to the committee, who would then investigate.

Ivor Holland, who runs Quality Textiles, in Surrey Street, is the group's co-ordinator.

Objective investigation

He said: "Anyone who feels they have been unfairly treated can write to the committee, via myself or Tyndall Jones, at David O Jones Sports.

"Statements would be taken by all concerned, and the complaint looked at objectively."

Susan's group, Shopwatch: A Law Unto Themselves, has more than

60 members.

"All I want is an independent complaints system, and I think it is a cause that should be taken up by the police," she said.

"I have been in touch with a number of officers, but feel they have not listened to me."

A police spokeswoman said they were limited in what they could do to help.

"Not a police matter"

She said:"Our localneighbourhood response team is aware of the Littlehampton Shopwatch scheme and does liaise with the shopkeepers involved, with regards to local policing issues.

"However, Shopwatch is an independently- run scheme, which is not controlled by the police.

"This would have to taken up directly with the shopkeepers involved, as it is not a police matter," she added.