Spalding police are mounting a big crackdown on thefts from shops during December.
Plain clothes and uniformed officers will be targeting known shoplifters and looking out for suspicious activity.
Community policing inspector Jim Tyner said: “There is traditionally an increase in theft from shops during December so Operation Angel has been introduced to counter this.
“Every day in December I will be deploying officers in uniform and in plain clothes targeting known shoplifters and responding to suspicious activity.
“Very little of the retail crime that we encounter is linked to poverty – it tends to be alcohol related or stealing to finance a drug addiction.”
Inp Tyner said CCTV volunteers and police specials will also join the crackdown, “working to make Spalding a safe and pleasant place to do your Christmas shopping”.