AN ARMED thief was snared thanks to a radio system which links shopkeepers to police - just two hours after it was re-launched.

Two thieves, including one who was carrying a knife, were both arrested on Tuesday afternoon and police say they could not have caught them without the help of the RACY (Retailers Against Crime in York) radio system.

Police Community Support Officer Craig Boumphrey and RACY manager Michelle Sutcliffe spent an afternoon encouraging shopkeepers in Acomb to start using their "Storenet" radios, which link businesses directly to each other and to the police.

She said by the time they had reached the bus stop shopkeepers were on the radio trying out the system with "testing" messages.

Within two hours they received a message from shopkeepers about two thieves in the area and police were at the scene minutes later. Police arrested two men.

Carolyn Dunn, the chairwoman of RACY, said: "We're re-launching the radio scheme in Acomb because retailers in the area had been involved in the past but it had quietened down.

"We've got the police involved as well and we're really targeting the area.

"There has been so much enthusiasm from retailers and everyone was pleased to see it up and running again."

PCSO Boumphrey said: "We had proof of how well the system works when two people were locked up for theft within two hours of us re-launching it.

"One of them was carrying a knife and we couldn't have done it without RACY radio."

Ms Sutcliffe said: "With a build-up of trade with Christmas coming up, and darker nights on the way, it seemed like the right time of year to revive the radio system. We will be giving out information packs with introductions on how to use the radios and advice about what to do if a shoplifter comes into your store."

Trader Paul Cuniff, of Acomb Music, is part of the shop radio scheme. He said: "It has been very successful in Acomb in the past and it brings a sense of community amongst the shop owners because we are all talking to each other. If you are a sole trader like myself it makes you feel you're not on your own if something does go wrong."