KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- 'Tis the season for shopping and shoplifting.

Police agencies across East Tennessee say shoplifting increases during the holiday season.

"It does tend to rise," Maryville Police Deputy Chief Greg Cook said.

Cook says Maryville Police will redirect patrols to the business district, working to keep shoppers in the holiday spirit and out of harm's way.

"We try to take a proactive approach in the education and working with the stores as far as having the officers out," Cook said.

Cook expects his officers will work dozens of shoplifting cases this season.

"We'll focus as much as we can our resources into the stores and around the malls, those types of things," Cook said.

A Knox County Sheriff's deputy working security at a Faragut Krogers confronted a pair of accused shoplifters Wednesday afternoon.

That led to the deputy shooting at the suspects, after the sheriff's office says the accused shoplifters tried to hit the deputy with car.

So far KCSO and Knoxville Police have kept their holiday enforcement plans under wraps.

But the two agencies paired up for a shop lifting task force last year .

Knoxville Police says it's averaged more than 220 shoplifting cases in December the past few years.

"We'll be working with merchants on how to reduce their chances of being a victim of shoplifting this holiday season," KPD Spokesman Darrel DeBusk told Volunteer TV News.

DeBusk said KPD's Skywatch Towers will be positioned at the malls and various stores across the city starting the day after Thanksgiving.

Lenoir City Police will also boost patrols around businesses, according to Chief Don White.

Stores like Target say they go after shoplifters with a multi-layered approach, using surveillance equipment and customer service to let would-be-thief know they're being watched.

Both West Town Mall and Knoxville Center Mall are making efforts to thwart shoplifters.

"We are committed to providing a safe, quality shopping environment to our shoppers and our employees," Area Mall Manager Tim Hill said in a statement obtained by Volunteer TV.

Both malls offer Maintaining continuous security patrols inside and the surrounding parking lots, as well as security escorts for shoppers, upon request.

Marvyille police urge shoppers to use common sense safety while shopping, which includes paying attention to your surroundings, parking in a well-lit area, and hiding any purchases in your car.

Additionally, mall staff encourage shoppers to have their keys ready when returning their car and to look look inside and under their car before entering their vehicle.