Retailers in Cape Breton, Canada are utilizing social network websites to fight shoplifting during the Christmas season and beyond.

A newly formed retailers association is encouraging its members to log into websites such as YouTube and Facebook to identify the thieves. This technology is used since security camera video isn’t producing sufficient results.

It is not uncommon for thieves to brag about their illegal activities on such sites as YouTube. Once retailers find out the details of the shoplifter, they share the information among other association members. In turn, members can choose to ban that shoplifter from their store.

Apparently shoplifting is increasing to levels where in some cases professional shoplifters are hired to steal for other people.

The retailers said the shoplifters have largely stayed away from the stores after the integration of videos from the social sites as crime fighting tools.