Cameras that record the number plates of all the vehicles that enter one of Perth's major shopping centres are being used to track criminals, WA police have revealed.

In a deal inked with the owners of shopping giant Westfield, police now have access to the company's number plate recognition cameras at Carousel shopping centre in Cannington, allowing authorities to detect if repeat offenders or wanted individuals enter the precinct.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the focus was on preventing crime against retail workers.

"Why wait for people to be attacked and call Triple Zero?" he told ABC Radio Perth.

" If we know someone dangerous or is going to commit a crime because they are a recidivist retail offender and a violent one, I think our community would rather we dispatch earl

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