The Executive is ploughing almost £1 million into Scottish Safe City Centres over the next three years, with a similar sum coming from local authorities.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace said the initiative will “help provide a safe and secure environment for retail staff and customers alike.”

Dundee has already received its near-£130,000 share, which paid for the launch of the Dundee Co-ordinated Anti-Crime Network (DUNCAN) in August.

Mr Wallace said today he believed schemes such as DUNCAN will help make city centres “safer places in which to live, work, shop and relax.” He added, “If cities are safer we all benefit. The public feels safer coming into city centres and businesses benefit from more customers. Where business is good, streets are busy, and where the streets are busy, the streets are safer.

“Retailers in particular benefit from a reduction in city centre crime, and especially from a reduction in violence against shop-workers. We cannot tolerate a Scotland where the retail sector suffers because of the threat or occurrence of violence, intimidation and anti-social behaviour against shop-workers or customers.”

Violence against staff and the public is at the heart of the Dundee project, which saw “target lists” of known shoplifters issued to retailers last week. Economic development convener Joe Morrow said he was delighted the information-sharing scheme was up and running in time for the Christmas rush.

“In particular, we are targeting violence against staff and the public, and we are going to be hitting very hard,” said the councillor.

“As long as I am economic development convener, this project will be given my 120% support. We are about making Dundee city centre not only a good and pleasant place to come, but also a safer place.”

Seven cities will benefit from money to pay for CCTV, radiolinks, promotion of crime reduction and community safety, including £33,500 for Perth.

A council spokesman said, “The £33,500 awarded to Perth will be spent over three years on launching and promoting a safer city campaign for Perth as well as implementing a number of physical improvements to areas such as lighting and road and pedestrian safety.”

Mr Wallace added, “It is in all our interests to ensure city centre crime does not threaten a thriving, efficient and prosperous retail sector. This sector plays a vital part in Scotland’s economy, accounting for around 10 % of Scotland’s GDP and employing 342,000 people. Shops are at the heart of our city centres, and the health of the economy depends on a strong retail sector.”