Shoplifters see Ludlow traders turn to Twitter

Traders in Ludlow are using social networking site Twitter to warn each other of thieves in the area, it has been revealed.

Phil Austin, who runs Abundant Florist, on Station Drive in Ludlow, alerted fellow traders after a man he claims to have caught trying to break into his store before Christmas walked into his shop last Thursday.

He said the internet was a useful resource for passing on messages quickly to fellow traders in the town to make sure they don't become victims of crime.

Mr Austin said: "We have been robbed a few times - last year our cash box was stolen and we have had problems with shoplifting. Someone tried to break in twice and once we caught them in the act when we were inside and they ran off.

"We are very active on Twitter and we are friendly with many other businesses in Ludlow. Whenever anybody is about like that we pass the message on, and it is one of the very good things about Twitter."