SHOPS in Accrington were today given a boost in their fight against burglary and petty crime as part of a £5.8million blitz announced by the Home Office.

Customers of thousands of small shops in rundown North West communities are to benefit from the cash to help shops improve security, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced.

The region is set to get more than £940,000 to help dozens of shops under the Security for Small Retailers scheme to pay for burglar alarms, better locks and CCTV. It will also pay for environmental improvements to make shopping parades look better and feel safer. Nationwide, more than 5,400 shops will benefit.

Shops in Blackburn Road, Accrington, are to received £19,485 to buy 35 community radios, effectively setting up an early warning system among traders.

Earlier funding was used to buy security doors, bars, intruder alarm systems and CCTV equipment in the fightback against burglary and petty crime.

David Smith, the Home Office's regional crime reduction director, said: "We are very keen to support local businesses in their efforts to crack down on crime.

"In many cases relatively small sums of money can make a big difference in deterring the petty criminal."

Davina Helm, community safety manager for the Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership, said: "Small retailers in Hyndburn are an integral part in keeping our communities alive.

"We welcomed this funding from the Home Office as it has allowed us to contribute to the sustainability of these small businesses, to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour and to complement other regeneration initiatives in the area."