Police have defended the Shop Watch radio scheme in Ledbury after criticism from a retailer that officers did not respond to his warnings about shoplifters.
Martin Eager, of Eager Electrical, plans to raise his concerns with the Police Consultative Committee.
He said he reported shoplifters in his store to police via his Shop Watch radio but an officer did not come until the next day.
Mr Eager, who pays £50 a month to be part of the scheme, radioed round fellow traders himself to warn them.
Police spokesman Neil Tipton said: "The Shop Watch system is designed to help retailers in Ledbury to easily pass information and warnings between themselves, to aid security.
"The radio network also allows retailers to speak with officers at Ledbury Police Station, but it should not be seen as a primary method for contacting the police.
"There will be times when officers based at Ledbury Police Station will be committed to other incidents and will be unable to give an immediate response to retailers via the Shop Watch radio network."
Mr Tipton said in the latest incident, officers were otherwise engaged. In those circumstance, he said traders should contact the police switchboard on 08457 444888 or, in the case of an emergency, dial 999.
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