THIS serial shoplifter has become the first person to be banned for life from stores across York.

Jason Francis Smith, 27, has been dubbed "target number one" by police and store detectives after committing at least 20 thefts in the past two years.

In court this week, he admitted stealing goods worth more than £400 from Miss Selfridge, Boots and Gap on three dates between October 24 and December 4.

That appearance triggered a new hard-hitting exclusion order, organised by Retailers Against Crime in York (RACY), that bans him forever from going into 205 shops.

A tough message went out to shoplifters today: carry on stealing from York shops and you face being banned from them for life - just like Jason Smith.

The 27-year-old, of Dijon Avenue, Acomb, has become the first person to be barred from entering 205 stores which are members of RACY (Retailers Against Crime in York).

It was revealed that more shops are rushing to join the scheme.

PC Rick Ball, who is spearheading the scheme, indicated that Smith will not be the last shoplifter to be handed such a ban.

He said: "I'm delighted with this result. We have got another three people waiting to be dealt with by the courts.

"This underlines just how keen we are to make this scheme work. The message is clear: if you are willing to steal from shops in the York area, you face being banned from them for life."

Smith, of Dijon Avenue, Acomb, will be sentenced for the three thefts in January after magistrates adjourned his case so a drug treatment and testing order could take place. Stores in York city centre, Clifton Moor, Monks Cross Shopping Park and other areas will now be told that he is banned from their premises.

Any breach of the order will be used as evidence for an Antisocial Behaviour Order which, if not followed, can end in a prison sentence.

RACY chiefs said they had a surge in membership applications since the order was unveiled a fortnight ago.

One store security worker said the ban would be welcomed by shop workers across the city who knew Smith well.

He said: "I just hope this individual has the sense to get the message."

Colin Lowe, RACY deputy chairman, said: "These measures are certainly not taken lightly. We are talking about convicted offenders, and there is a lesson that these people have got to learn.

"RACY has realised that the need is there and it is team work between the police, Safer York Partnership and ourselves that makes it happen."

Updated: 09:27 Saturday, December 20, 2003