Christmas can be a terrible time for theft-related crimes. With car theives targetting shoppers who leave packages in their vehicles, and burglars who scope out the best targets from their Christmas refuse, there are many extra safety considerations to make during the holidays.

That’s why the police are out in force at Owlcotes Centre and Bramley Shopping Centre in West Yorkshire, UK. They aren’t there to look out for crooks, though. They’re there to help out shoppers.

The police will be giving away timers and low-energy outdoor lights to help discourage burglars, and handbag alarms to deter purse snatchers. They’ll also offer shoppers valuable safety and prevention advice.

Here’s to a safe, happy holiday season for everyone.

Christmas is far from the only cause for celebration this season.

Reef Mall in Dubai just finished celebrating Eid al-Adha, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. The shopping center celebrated the festival in style, with Dhabke dancers and Khaleeji dancers. The center also held craft workshops for children, and a raffle for a large cash prize.

With the rapid expansion of the shopping center industry in Dubai, malls are finding that more and more, they need to balance the needs of many different audiences. With Eid falling so close to Christmas this year, some, like the Dubai Mall, are finding themselves decorating for both holidays at once.

Is your mall celebrating more than one major holiday this season?

Centro soars after bank bailout deal

The Australian, AU

Securities in Centro Properties soared yesterday after financiers extended its $5.05 billion debt deadline for a month and agreed on a long-term rescue plan that effectively gives them ownership …

Shopping mall braced to take ‘up to £1m per hour’

The Independent, UK

The Christmas countdown has begun, with just nine shopping days to go until the big day. Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north west London predicts that its shoppers will be spending an average of £350,000 per hour, increasing to £1 million at its peak …

Shoppers find much to dislike about malls

Delaware Online, US

Close your eyes and you could be in any mall, anywhere … That’s the problem. According to Wharton research, consumers are uninspired by the sameness and predictability of shopping malls …

Caution can take the fear out of gift card purchases

Killeen Daily Herald, US

n an age of hustle and bustle, gift cards as holiday presents are becoming more popular. But in an age of plunging commerce, some people fear card recipients will arrive after Christmas to use their cards only to find locked doors and empty buildings …

Macy’s at Woodfield Mall to stay open 24 hours a day until Christmas Eve

Chicago Tribune, US

Macy’s Inc. plans to keep open its Woodfield Mall store 24 hours a day from Saturday morning through Christmas Eve for the first time in a bid to boost holiday sales during one of the grimmest shopping environments in decades …

Children may have been good, and yet…

New York Times, US

Louis Niko, who has been playing Santa Claus at the Phillipsburg Mall for the past 12 years, still asks the children who bounce on his lap if they have been naughty or nice, but when it comes to taking their gift requests in these difficult economic times, the man dressed in snow-white whiskers and a bright red suit is no longer making promises …

General Growth fails to reach accord on Vegas loans

Bloomberg, US

General Growth Properties Inc., the second-largest U.S. mall owner, failed to reach unanimous agreement with lenders on extending the maturity of $900 million in loans for properties in Las Vegas that were due on Dec. 12. Asked if the company was in default on the Las Vegas loans, General Growth spokesman Tim Goebel said the lenders “haven’t acted against us and we’re talking” …

Shopping spree defies downturn

Press Association, UK

Retailers reported a week’s bumper Christmas shopping spree that has defied the economic downturn and bucked two months of disappointing retail sales figures. Across the country the high streets and shopping centres have seen the numbers of shoppers exceed expectations with just 10 full shopping days remaining before Christmas …

Casuarina Square cop shop open for business

Northern Territory News, AU

Four police officers are now permanently on the beat at Darwin’s troubled Casuarina Square. The constables will patrol the shopping centre and its surrounds during trading hours. They will work closely with the centre’s 24-hour security and will be based at a new police shopfront beside the Body Shop.

Boxing Day sales come early

Calgary Herald, CA

Retailers are giving Calgary consumers a Christmas gift this year — Boxing Day sales are already taking place. “I think retailers are starting to do all their sales a lot earlier this year, including Boxing Day,” said John Torella, senior partner for the J. C. Williams Group Ltd., a retail consultant in Toronto …

Shopping center hosts temporary pet adoption center

CBS 47, US

It’s a new way to provide permanent homes for pets in the Valley. Amidst the holiday sales, you’ll find a new pet center at the River Park Shopping Center in North Fresno …

O, come to mall, ye faithful

Geelong Advertiser, AU

MORE than 30 people made a congregation at Geelong’s Westfield shopping centre yesterday and celebrated its first mass. Geelong Catholic Deanery has opened the Wing And A Prayer chapel, bookshop and pastoral information source in the Westfield building facing Malop St. St Mary’s parish priest Father Kevin Dillon believes the faith hub might be the first of its kind in Australia …

Square One Shopping Centre in Ontario, CA is celebrating a bright, shiny Christmas this year with an impressively choreographed light and music show. Each Santa photo is projected onto its Magic Video Christmas Tree, which sparkles and shines with the show.

And Square One has been kind enough to share a video of the show, which takes place every 30 minutes. Enjoy!