Blackwood town centre saw a 40% reduction in incidents of shoplifting over the Christmas period of November and December 2013, recent figures show.
Over the festive period, there were 22 incidents of shoplifting reported, compared with 31 incidents during the same period in 2012.
Gwent Police said the reduction was due to a crackdown in the town centre run in conjunction with Blackwood Retail Partnership and Caerphilly County Borough Council’s team of CCTV operators.
Over the four weeks of the operation, a total of 140 £30 Fixed Penalty Notices were also issued to motorists parking illegally in the town centre.
As part of the operation, officers conducted patrols in uniform as well as in plain clothes to deter shoplifting.
Officers also worked closely with local security staff and store detectives.
There are more than 25 businesses now working as part of the Blackwood Retail Partnership which shares crime information between businesses, the police and the council.
Blackwood Inspector Mark Smith said: “For the third consecutive year, Blackwood town centre has benefited from a reduction in shoplifting offences which is as a direct result of our effective partnership working. Retailers should feel reassured by this 40% reduction in this crime type.
“It is unfortunate that we have also had to deal with 140 motorists who felt the need to park their vehicle irresponsibly in the town centre.
“Their actions either caused traffic flow issues or reduced the availability of a disabled parking spaces for blue badge holders.
“Rest assured, my Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to work closely with our partners to reassure the public and retailers, that Blackwood town centre is not the place to come to commit crime or park illegally.”
Cllr David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Service, also welcomed the fall.
He said: “We continue to work alongside our various partners to help ensure that our town centres remain very safe and attractive places to visit. Utilising our CCTV service is an extremely effective tool in helping to tackle and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour in our area,
“By working together with colleagues at Gwent Police and the Blackwood Retail Partnership, we are sending out a clear message to anyone who feels it is acceptable to shoplift that they won’t get away with it.”